Betty Lee > wrote in message
> According to...
>
> http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...dspice&dbid=61
>
> "In China, where lettuce has
> been growing since the 5th century, lettuce represents good luck.

"Represent good luck" is not quite right. Lettuce, "sang choi", sounds
very much like "make money" in Cantonese; the superstitious Chinese
are partial to have dishes that sound fortuitous, especially in terms
of wealth. In fact, lettuce wrap sounds like "make money for sure", so
it is a most welcomed dish. (Some New Years dishes are so pretentious
and obscure that we have to consult the waiter to find out what they
are, if an explanation is not at hand, e.g. "Gold Coins Keep Rolling
In", might be simply Mushrooms stuffed with mashed shimp.)

One reason why it is found more in fancier restaurents might be
because it is frequently served as an appetizer as it does not go well
with rice. Family style restaurents probably doesn't want to bother
with it.

BTW the native lettuce in China looks more like a Romaine. The Iceberg
lettuce used in the wraps is known as "western lettuce". The modern
dish probably evolved from the tradition of flour pancakes wrappers. I
do not remember having it as a child in Hong Kong, but my mom did
serve them when I visited as an adult. I've also seen the dish called
"Crystal Fold".