Gong Cai is a very popular vegetable in the Sichuan region of China, and it shares some similarities with lettuce, but it is not sun-dried lettuce. Below I will go into detail about the characteristics and differences of tribute dishes.
Gong Cai is one of the specialties of the Sichuan region, and it is also a vegetable with a unique flavor. It is similar in appearance to lettuce, both have long green leaves, but the leaves of tribute vegetables are flatter and have a more crisp texture. This makes tribute dishes different from lettuce in taste.
Tribute vegetables are also grown differently from lettuce. Lettuce is a leafy vegetable that is mainly harvested by planting whole lettuce plants. Whereas, tribute cabbage is a cauliflower vegetable that is mainly harvested by planting flower buds. The flower buds of Gongcai resemble the shape of cabbage, and the outer layer of leaves wraps around the young shoots, forming a tight globular structure.
In addition, the use of tribute dishes in cooking is also different from lettuce. The leaves of lettuce can be eaten raw or used in cold salads, stir-fried or cooked into soups. The buds of tribute vegetables are more commonly used in cooking, and can be made into a variety of dishes such as stir-frying, cold salad, or boiled soup. The buds of Gong Cai have a tender taste and a unique aroma, which makes them even more delicious after cooking.
To sum up, Gong Cai is a unique vegetable that is very popular in the Sichuan region, and it differs from lettuce in appearance, cultivation methods, and culinary uses. Its flat leaves and tight spherical structure give tribute dishes their unique taste and flavor. If you have the opportunity to taste tribute dishes, you will definitely be attracted by its crisp and refreshing characteristics.