Red Butterhead Lettuce

Pirat lettuce has tender crimson-tinged upward growing leaves attached to a stout blanched heart. Its leaves have a complex and slightly bittersweet flavor, yet, as it is a butterhead variety, they have a melting-quality in the mouth. The ribs leading to the heart are succulent, snappy and mild in flavor. When the leaves are torn from the rib, the lettuce emits a mildly bitter milky substance. This is where all lettuce varieties get their scientific name, Lactuca sativa, which translates simply as milk.