Hello

Please... help.

How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?

I keep in original wrap, in refrig, unwashed.. until ready to use.

I wash/rinse it under cold water when ready.
I only eat a salad a day so after washing and using a portion.. the
head of ice starts to brown real fast.

The temp of the frig. is not a problem.

I have tired to wrap the remaing head of lettuce in a moist towel
(this helps a bit) and also tired placing in a plastic container.

I'd love to have my head of lettuce (any tips for any variety of
lettuce also welcome) last a few days longer.

Thanks to all who reply!

sandi wrote:

> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
>
> I keep in original wrap, in refrig, unwashed.. until ready to use.
>
> I wash/rinse it under cold water when ready.
> I only eat a salad a day so after washing and using a portion.. the
> head of ice starts to brown real fast.
>
are you cutting off your pieces with a knife, by chance? Cutting iceberg
encourages browning, if I recall?

Goomba38 > wrote in
:

> sandi wrote:
>
>> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as
>> possible?
>>
>> I keep in original wrap, in refrig, unwashed.. until ready to
>> use.
>>
>> I wash/rinse it under cold water when ready.
>> I only eat a salad a day so after washing and using a
>> portion.. the head of ice starts to brown real fast.
>>
> are you cutting off your pieces with a knife, by chance?
> Cutting iceberg encourages browning, if I recall?

Sometimes I do. But mostly peel off leaf by leaf.

All my lettuce (Leaf, Romine) seem to wilt soooo
fast. :-(

Oh pshaw, on Sun 13 Aug 2006 07:41:23p, sandi meant to say...

> Hello
>
> Please... help.
>
> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
>
> I keep in original wrap, in refrig, unwashed.. until ready to use.
>
> I wash/rinse it under cold water when ready.
> I only eat a salad a day so after washing and using a portion.. the
> head of ice starts to brown real fast.
>
> The temp of the frig. is not a problem.
>
> I have tired to wrap the remaing head of lettuce in a moist towel
> (this helps a bit) and also tired placing in a plastic container.
>
> I'd love to have my head of lettuce (any tips for any variety of
> lettuce also welcome) last a few days longer.
>
> Thanks to all who reply!

Remove the core, either with a plastic knife or by slamming the head down
on a counter (core side down) to loosen it, then remove. Wrap in a dry
towel, then place in a zip-loc bag and expel the air. IME, this method
minimizes browning and maximizes freshness.

When ready to use, separate desired number of leaves, wash in cold water,
then refrigerate, covered, with whatever water that clings to leaves for an
hour before serving.

--
Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________

Any wire cut to length will be too short.

Oh pshaw, on Sun 13 Aug 2006 07:44:17p, Goomba38 meant to say...

> sandi wrote:
>
>> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
>>
>> I keep in original wrap, in refrig, unwashed.. until ready to use.
>>
>> I wash/rinse it under cold water when ready.
>> I only eat a salad a day so after washing and using a portion.. the
>> head of ice starts to brown real fast.
>>
> are you cutting off your pieces with a knife, by chance? Cutting iceberg
> encourages browning, if I recall?

You're absolutely right. Contact with metal will encourage browning. It's
also wise to remove the core prior to storage, either cutting out with a
plastic knife, or loosening and pulling out by hand.

--
Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________

Any wire cut to length will be too short.

Although you say the fridge temp isn't a problem...
I never store my lettuce in the veg crisper - it's too cold and causes
fridge burn in delicate veg like lettuce. (IMO only) I can keep an
iceberg for up to 10 days-2weeks.
I bought one of those tupperware lettuce storers (though now there are
plenty of other plasticware companies making them) about 30 years ago.
It sits towards the top of my fridge and I never have a prob with
browning/discolouration.
I do remove the core first, using the whack & grab method, never a
knife. Any metal used on lettuce will cause it to brown. (why you
should only tear lettuce for salads).

LadyJane
--
"Never trust a skinny cook!"

Oh pshaw, on Sun 13 Aug 2006 09:04:59p, Steve Wertz meant to say...

> On 13 Aug 2006 20:16:04 -0700, LadyJane wrote:
>
>> I do remove the core first, using the whack & grab method, never a
>> knife. Any metal used on lettuce will cause it to brown. (why you
>> should only tear lettuce for salads).
>
> I thought that using a knife to cut lettuce caused the cells on
> the edge to rupture meaning they would die and turn brown first.
> Whereas tearing left the cells in tact.
>
> The metal knife thing sounds like kitchen folk lore. Isn't the
> purpose of the plastic knife the same: it's so do dull it shreds
> the lettuce between cells rather than cutting through it?

Dunno...I'm not a food scientist, but plastic seems to work.



--
Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________

Any wire cut to length will be too short.

sandi > wrote in news:44dfe2d2$0$14607$892e7fe2
@authen.puce.readfreenews.net:


>
> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
>
>


I leave the core in (my instinct is that this will somehow "feed" the
leaves, like putting flowers in water, but I have no scientific basis for
this), peel off leaves by hand as I need them and keep the whole thing
wrapped inna plastic shopping bag when not in use. They can last weeks in
this way. Same goes for cabbages.

K

sandi wrote:
> Hello
>
> Please... help.
>
> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?

Tupperware Salad Spinner. One of the best $30 I ever spent...

-L.

In article . com>,
"-L." > wrote:

> sandi wrote:
> > Hello
> >
> > Please... help.
> >
> > How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
>
> Tupperware Salad Spinner. One of the best $30 I ever spent...
>
> -L.

I know this is different from Iceberg, but the best lettuce I've found
for keeping fresh the longest are those heads of Hydroponically grown
Boston Butter lettuce.

They still have the root system attached and a little well in the
packaging for water. I've had them stay fresh and crisp for over two
weeks if it took me that long to use up a head of it.

Just cut the lid off and store them upright in the container and keep
the roots wet. I keep it in the back refrigerator. The Hobart has glass
doors so the lettuce gets a little light.

I adore that stuff but have not yet seen Iceberg being sold that way?
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

In article . 170>, Amarantha > wrote:
>sandi > wrote in news:44dfe2d2$0$14607$892e7fe2
:
>>
>> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
>
>I leave the core in (my instinct is that this will somehow "feed" the
>leaves, like putting flowers in water, but I have no scientific basis for
>this), peel off leaves by hand as I need them and keep the whole thing
>wrapped inna plastic shopping bag when not in use. They can last weeks in

I do this too. (I assume you keep it in the fridge?) The main
problem I've had is that lettuce doesn't like the fridge getting too
cold.

>this way. Same goes for cabbages.

You can't kill cabbages!

What I'd really like to know is why fresh green beans go "off" so
quickly, but snow peas last for weeks in the fridge?

Cheers, Phred.

--
LID

"sandi" > wrote in message
enews.net...
> Hello
>
> Please... help.
>
> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
>
> I keep in original wrap, in refrig, unwashed.. until ready to use.
>
> I wash/rinse it under cold water when ready.
> I only eat a salad a day so after washing and using a portion.. the
> head of ice starts to brown real fast.
>
> The temp of the frig. is not a problem.
>
> I have tired to wrap the remaing head of lettuce in a moist towel
> (this helps a bit) and also tired placing in a plastic container.
>
> I'd love to have my head of lettuce (any tips for any variety of
> lettuce also welcome) last a few days longer.
>
> Thanks to all who reply!
>

Do NOT wash the whole head. Wash only what you need to use NOW. Do NOT
introduce more moisture than is already present in the head of lettuce.
Otherwise, you're encouraging composting, a great thing for gardeners, but
not for food storage.

Duh'Wayne wrote:
> Goomba38 meant to say...
> > sandi wrote:
> >
> >> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
> >>
> >> I keep in original wrap, in refrig, unwashed.. until ready to use.
> >>
> >> I wash/rinse it under cold water when ready.
> >> I only eat a salad a day so after washing and using a portion.. the
> >> head of ice starts to brown real fast.
> >>
> > are you cutting off your pieces with a knife, by chance? Cutting iceberg
> > encourages browning, if I recall?
>
> You're absolutely right. Contact with metal will encourage browning. It's
> also wise to remove the core prior to storage, either cutting out with a
> plastic knife, or loosening and pulling out by hand.

You idiot phoney-baloney-just like to run off at mouth Duh'Wayne
Asshole... cutting with any knife crushes the cells, has not a whit to
do with metal... removing the core also encourages decay as the plant
can't function to it's best capabilities since it's roots are now gone
and it's out of the growing medium (the core some small store of energy
that lengthens shelf life).

If the dimwit OP could give an actual time rather than "for as long as
possible" then perhaps help can become available. Lettuce just doesn't
stay fresh very long... and mostly due to where it's purchchased and
how long and how they've stored it. Lettuce is not something one
stores, it should be consumed within no more than a week, within 2-3
days is better, on the day it's picked is best.

The best way to store lettuce (or any leafy greens) is dry, no water
(do not wash leaves until ready to use - farmers go to a lot of trouble
to harvest on hot dry days, and after dew has burned off), in a
ventilated plastic bag, inside a high humidity fridge veggie bin.
Slice a thin portion off the root end while under running water
(slicing dry permits air to enter the capillaries, which acts as a
plug, therefore blocking the plant's ability to receive what little
nourishment is available in the core - lettuce is a plant yoose know -
should be treated the same as cut flowers). There is no reason head
lettuce can't last 3-4 weeks, leaf lettuce 2-3 weeks... although I
can't imagine why anyone wouldn't consume lettuce within a few days...
lettuce rapidly loses it's crispness and also absorbs odors, long
before it rots. The idiotic indiscriminate use of stupidmarket misters
is a prime reason produce rots quickly... it's done primarily for
visual appeal and for produce that's weighed to sell you water... not
to mention they want it to spoil quickly so yoose will buy more.

Sheldon Agri

"-L." > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> sandi wrote:
>> Hello
>>
>> Please... help.
>>
>> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
>
> Tupperware Salad Spinner. One of the best $30 I ever spent...

Aye !
Adds another week to fridge life at least.
Definite thumbs up on that one.

Steve Wertz wrote:
> On 13 Aug 2006 20:16:04 -0700, LadyJane wrote:
>
> > I do remove the core first, using the whack & grab method, never a
> > knife. Any metal used on lettuce will cause it to brown. (why you
> > should only tear lettuce for salads).
>
> I thought that using a knife to cut lettuce caused the cells on
> the edge to rupture meaning they would die and turn brown first.
> Whereas tearing left the cells in tact.
>
> The metal knife thing sounds like kitchen folk lore. Isn't the
> purpose of the plastic knife the same: it's so do dull it shreds
> the lettuce between cells rather than cutting through it?
>
> -sw

When the cells are crushed, the lettuce browns. I have seen no
difference whatsoever between a metal knife and a plastic knife. It
just doesn't last very long. I feel lucky if I get iceberg or Romaine
to last a week.

N.

"Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote in
message
6.121...
> sandi >
> enews.net:
>
>> Hello
>>
>> Please... help.
>>
>> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as
>> possible?
>
> <space saver put into action>
>
> Lettuce does not last long around here and I seldom buy the
> iceburg lettuce
> unless it is on sale and really inexpensive. In the past I've
> rinsed the
> head really thouroughly and wrapped in a paper towel. The
> paper towel gets
> moist from the water on the lettuce. Then I'll put it in a
> gallon sized
> freezer bag and make sure all the air is out of the bag. Seal
> the bag and
> put it in the crisper in the fridge. Seems to help make it
> last longer
> than when I used to just toss the lettuce in it's original
> package into the
> crisper.
>
> Michael

I may be off base according to most of the other posters but what
works for me is to cut out the core, run water into the core,
wash the outside, drain well and then place the whole head, core
side down, on a thick pad of folded up paper towels. Place the
head in a plastic bag and place in the refrigerator (not the
vegetable drawer) core side down. My head lettuce is always
crisp and will keep as long as it lasts. The only brown I ever
get is right around the leaf stems where the head sits. At the
most this is 1/16" edge that needs to be discarded.

sandi wrote:
> Hello
>
> Please... help.
>
> How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
> Thanks to all who reply!

don't use a knife on it, just tear or pull of what you want
this keeps the remaining leaves from turning brown

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
> You're absolutely right. Contact with metal will encourage browning. It's
> also wise to remove the core prior to storage, either cutting out with a
> plastic knife, or loosening and pulling out by hand.
>

another easy way to remove the core

slam the head on the counter core side down

it knocks the core loose, you can almost shake it out at that point

i likes to eat the core, you peel it down to the very tender part
it's sweet.

"Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote in
message
6.121...
> "Audrey" >
> ink.net:
>
> <snip>
>
>> I may be off base according to most of the other posters but
>> what
>> works for me is to cut out the core, run water into the core,
>> wash the outside, drain well and then place the whole head,
>> core
>> side down, on a thick pad of folded up paper towels. Place
>> the
>> head in a plastic bag and place in the refrigerator (not the
>> vegetable drawer) core side down. My head lettuce is always
>> crisp and will keep as long as it lasts. The only brown I
>> ever
>> get is right around the leaf stems where the head sits. At
>> the
>> most this is 1/16" edge that needs to be discarded.
>
> How long does it last with this preparation? I would think
> removing the
> core would expose the inner leaves and they would get brown.
>
> Michael

I have a heart left right now in the fridge that's 12 days old
and will be added to our salad tonight. I'll have to cut off
about 1/8" straight across the core end to remove a little brown
edge. Other than that the core will be crispy, clean, and tasty.
I have another head that was prepared in like manner that I've
been taking bigger leaves off of for sandwiches and that head is
about 7 days old and there isn't any brown on it. I am careful
that the pad of paper towels isn't too wet, just barely damp.

Audrey

"Nancy2" > wrote

> When the cells are crushed, the lettuce browns. I have seen no
> difference whatsoever between a metal knife and a plastic knife. It
> just doesn't last very long. I feel lucky if I get iceberg or Romaine
> to last a week.

Have you tried the bagged romaine hearts? They last a long
time. I don't know why and maybe I don't want to.

nancy

"Audrey" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>
> "Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote in message
> 6.121...
>> "Audrey" >
>> ink.net:
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>> I may be off base according to most of the other posters but what
>>> works for me is to cut out the core, run water into the core,
>>> wash the outside, drain well and then place the whole head, core
>>> side down, on a thick pad of folded up paper towels. Place the
>>> head in a plastic bag and place in the refrigerator (not the
>>> vegetable drawer) core side down. My head lettuce is always
>>> crisp and will keep as long as it lasts. The only brown I ever
>>> get is right around the leaf stems where the head sits. At the
>>> most this is 1/16" edge that needs to be discarded.
>>
>> How long does it last with this preparation? I would think removing the
>> core would expose the inner leaves and they would get brown.
>>
>> Michael
>
> I have a heart left right now in the fridge that's 12 days old and will be
> added to our salad tonight. I'll have to cut off about 1/8" straight
> across the core end to remove a little brown edge. Other than that the
> core will be crispy, clean, and tasty. I have another head that was
> prepared in like manner that I've been taking bigger leaves off of for
> sandwiches and that head is about 7 days old and there isn't any brown on
> it. I am careful that the pad of paper towels isn't too wet, just barely
> damp.
>
> Audrey

You must be doing other things right, too, probably without knowing it.

The best way to keep produce fresh is to learn how to make a compost heap
(for the garden), and then do exactly the opposite to keep things fresh in
the refrigerator. For example, if you want things to decompose faster in a
compost heap, you cut them into smaller pieces, especially things like corn
cobs and melon rinds. This exposed more surface area for bacteria to have a
party with. You do the opposite with produce which you want to keep fresh.

You speed up composting by tossing a shovelful of dirt on top of any new
additions of scraps. The dirt contains microorganisms that assist in
decomposition. The opposite of this in the kitchen is pretty obvious (to
some people).

Nancy Young wrote:
> "Nancy2" > wrote
>
>
>>When the cells are crushed, the lettuce browns. I have seen no
>>difference whatsoever between a metal knife and a plastic knife. It
>>just doesn't last very long. I feel lucky if I get iceberg or Romaine
>>to last a week.
>
>
> Have you tried the bagged romaine hearts? They last a long
> time. I don't know why and maybe I don't want to.
>
> nancy
>
>
That's what I use. I get the pack of 6 from Costco at about $.60 a
head. I'm the only salad eater in the family for the most part and the
6 pack usually lasts about 2 weeks. I keep it in the original package
and bring it out a head at a time, wash it, break or cut into salad
size, spin dry it and put in a sealed tupperware with a damp towel, then
take out what I want for each salad. Works fine for me.

"Jim Davis" > wrote

> Nancy Young wrote:

>> Have you tried the bagged romaine hearts? They last a long
>> time. I don't know why and maybe I don't want to.

> That's what I use. I get the pack of 6 from Costco at about $.60 a head.
> I'm the only salad eater in the family for the most part and the 6 pack
> usually lasts about 2 weeks. I keep it in the original package and bring
> it out a head at a time, wash it, break or cut into salad size, spin dry
> it and put in a sealed tupperware with a damp towel, then take out what I
> want for each salad. Works fine for me.

Same here, and saves me from throwing out the (to me) nasty
old outer leaves. Win/win situation as far as I'm concerned.

nancy

On 2006-08-14, Sheldon > wrote:
>
> You...... [snip vile bile]

Oh, shut the **** up you absolute horror of a human being.

nb

"mob-barley" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> sandi wrote:
> > Hello
> >
> > Please... help.
> >
> > How in the heck do I keep lettuce fresh for as long as possible?
> > Thanks to all who reply!
>
> don't use a knife on it, just tear or pull of what you want
> this keeps the remaining leaves from turning brown
>

True. Also, you can moisten paper towels and wrap it
in them before you put it in a zip lock.

"Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote

> I don't buy large quantities of lettuce at once.

I don't really understand these discussions about making things last--I want
my food fresh. It helps that I live in a city with groceries close by. Maybe
I would feel differently if I didn't, or if I did not drive and had to go to
the store just every two weeks or something.

"Sheldon" > wrote
> There is no reason head
> lettuce can't last 3-4 weeks, leaf lettuce 2-3 weeks...

Horse shit, Sheldon.

"JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote:
> >
>
> Do NOT wash the whole head. Wash only what you need to use NOW. Do NOT
> introduce more moisture than is already present in the head of lettuce.
> Otherwise, you're encouraging composting, a great thing for gardeners, but
> not for food storage.

Hmm. At a friend's urging I tried putting wet paper towels all around my
lettuce and it seems to keep it from browning as fast (once I have already
been into it.) But I can see your point about composting. In any event,
I rarely have a lettuce for more than a week, anyway.

cybercat wrote:
> "Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote
>
> > I don't buy large quantities of lettuce at once.
>
> I don't really understand these discussions about making things last--I want
> my food fresh. It helps that I live in a city with groceries close by. Maybe
> I would feel differently if I didn't, or if I did not drive and had to go to
> the store just every two weeks or something.

I mean really, if a head of lettuce lasts 12 days, that's about 10c a
day to have lettuce

some people just want a leaf per day

we are talking veggies right?
very good point

they simply don't last but so long
cut or uncut!

do you like head cut or uncut, or do you just pull on it with your
hands?

just curios

Oh pshaw, On Mon 14 Aug 2006 10:56:55a, cybercat was muttering about...

>
> "Sheldon" > wrote
>> There is no reason head
>> lettuce can't last 3-4 weeks, leaf lettuce 2-3 weeks...
>
> Horse shit, Sheldon.

Actually, he could be right, since he's willing to eat it after it rots.

--

Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________ ________________________

I often wonder ...
What do people mean when they say the computer went down on me?

"mob-barley" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> cybercat wrote:
> > "Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote
> >
> > > I don't buy large quantities of lettuce at once.
> >
> > I don't really understand these discussions about making things last--I
want
> > my food fresh. It helps that I live in a city with groceries close by.
Maybe
> > I would feel differently if I didn't, or if I did not drive and had to
go to
> > the store just every two weeks or something.
>
> I mean really, if a head of lettuce lasts 12 days, that's about 10c a
> day to have lettuce
>
> some people just want a leaf per day
>
> we are talking veggies right?
> very good point
>
> they simply don't last but so long
> cut or uncut!
>
> do you like head cut or uncut, or do you just pull on it with your
> hands?
>
> just curios
>

you wicked man. I think you have a double meaning! You're doing this just to
provoke Erectile Vomit Hick, aren't you?



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

cybercat wrote:

> "Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote
>
> > I don't buy large quantities of lettuce at once.
>
> I don't really understand these discussions about making things last--I want
> my food fresh. It helps that I live in a city with groceries close by. Maybe
> I would feel differently if I didn't, or if I did not drive and had to go to
> the store just every two weeks or something.

There are just the two of us here now. My wife is allergic to lettuce and a head
of lettuce makes more salad than I can eat in a week. There aren't many things
that are consumed in one meal, so as much as we like to eat fresh as much as
possible, I need to make things last.

cybercat wrote:

> > do you like head cut or uncut, or do you just pull on it with your
> > hands?
> >
> > just curios
> >
>
You're doing this just to
> provoke Erectile Vomit Hick, aren't you?

that liteweight freak?

> you wicked man. I think you have a double meaning!

I never thought about like that
I don't know if it's a typo or you being cute, but I meant to type
do you like THE head cut or uncut...
ooops... what a mess i've made

cybercat wrote:

>
> "Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote
>
> > I don't buy large quantities of lettuce at once.
>
> I don't really understand these discussions about making things
> last--I want my food fresh. It helps that I live in a city with
> groceries close by. Maybe I would feel differently if I didn't, or if
> I did not drive and had to go to the store just every two weeks or
> something.

Do you normally consume an entire head of iceberg lettuce in a day?



Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:

> cybercat wrote:
>
> > "Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote
> >
> > > I don't buy large quantities of lettuce at once.
> >
> > I don't really understand these discussions about making things last--I
> > want
> > my food fresh. It helps that I live in a city with groceries close by.
> > Maybe
> > I would feel differently if I didn't, or if I did not drive and had to go
> > to
> > the store just every two weeks or something.
>
> There are just the two of us here now. My wife is allergic to lettuce and a
> head
> of lettuce makes more salad than I can eat in a week. There aren't many
> things
> that are consumed in one meal, so as much as we like to eat fresh as much as
> possible, I need to make things last.

I'm paying $3.00 per head for the hydroponic Boston Butter lettuce, but
adding water to the root well and keeping it in the 'frige.....

Well, It's lasted for over 2 weeks for me in the past. I don't serve a
lot of salads but have been increasing them lately. The hydroponic heads
are twice the size of the regular BB heads.

To me, it's worth the price... I just use a 3 to 5 leaves from it
(depending on the leaf size) and fill the rest of the salad in with baby
spinach leaves, sliced tomatoes and my choice of meat. I've got lean ham
for this week and I'll be grilling some chicken breast tenders to slice
up later this week.

I'm currently on a salad kick for work lunches. I put the dressing into
a snack ziplock and add it right before I eat it so the greens don't
wilt.

A head of it is lasting me a week of lunches, plus garnishes for dad's
lunches along with the baby spinach leaves.

I think I can afford that. <G>
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

cybercat wrote:
> "Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote
>
> > I don't buy large quantities of lettuce at once.
>
> I don't really understand these discussions about making things last--I want
> my food fresh. It helps that I live in a city with groceries close by. Maybe
> I would feel differently if I didn't, or if I did not drive and had to go to
> the store just every two weeks or something.

I think the frustration is when you make a big salad thinking it will
last a few days and by day 3 it's all rusty and/or slimy. That's
usually from improper storage but can also depend on the freshness of
the lettuce, initially. I make a huge sald twice weekly in my Salad
Spinner, and it stays fresh 5 days, easily - and when I say fresh I
mean tastes like the first-day fresh. Nothing grosser than slimy
lettuce!

I have noticed that lettuce freshness is definitely seasonal here -
sometimes it's spectacular, other times, you have a hard time finding
any variety that looks good. Same goes for cukes, English or regular.

-L.

"mob-barley" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> cybercat wrote:
>
> > > do you like head cut or uncut, or do you just pull on it with your
> > > hands?
> > >
> > > just curios
> > >
> >
> You're doing this just to
> > provoke Erectile Vomit Hick, aren't you?
>
> that liteweight freak?
>
> > you wicked man. I think you have a double meaning!
>
> I never thought about like that
> I don't know if it's a typo or you being cute, but I meant to type
> do you like THE head cut or uncut...
> ooops... what a mess i've made
>

Only for those of us with dirty minds.

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

>
> I'm paying $3.00 per head for the hydroponic Boston Butter lettuce, but
> adding water to the root well and keeping it in the 'frige.....
>
> Well, It's lasted for over 2 weeks for me in the past. I don't serve a
> lot of salads but have been increasing them lately. The hydroponic heads
> are twice the size of the regular BB heads.

I like Bibb Lettuce, and do get my money's worth out of those things. I like a
nice simple salad of Bibb lettuce, avocado and onion, with either my wife's home
made dressing or with bleu cheese.

>
> To me, it's worth the price... I just use a 3 to 5 leaves from it
> (depending on the leaf size) and fill the rest of the salad in with baby
> spinach leaves, sliced tomatoes and my choice of meat. I've got lean ham
> for this week and I'll be grilling some chicken breast tenders to slice
> up later this week.

I am not too keen on iceberg or head lettuce. I prefer to get Mesclum. I usually
just get a little bag of it, less than $1. I don't eat a lot of salads, or much
salad in a sitting so even some of the stuff I buy goes bad before I can eat it
up. My wife prefers to buy it in the large plastic tubs....says it lasts longer.
Yes. It does. Instead of going bad in 5 days it lasts about 10. By that time I
will have eaten only about 1/10th of it so that means that I end up throwing out
90% of $4 worth of the stuff instead od throwing out 10% of $1 worth.


>
>
> I'm currently on a salad kick for work lunches. I put the dressing into
> a snack ziplock and add it right before I eat it so the greens don't
> wilt.
>
> A head of it is lasting me a week of lunches, plus garnishes for dad's
> lunches along with the baby spinach leaves.
>
> I think I can afford that. <G>
> --
> Peace!
> Om
>
> "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
> -- Jack Nicholson

"-L." > wrote :

> I make a huge sald twice weekly in my Salad
> Spinner, and it stays fresh 5 days, easily - and when I say fresh I
> mean tastes like the first-day fresh. Nothing grosser than slimy
> lettuce!

Hmmm, Salad Spinner, eh? I have to admit, I make salads the day
I need them and have never tried keeping them. It would be
convenient to make them ahead.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Wayne Boatwright" <wayneboatwright_at_gmail.com> wrote in message
28.19...

> You're absolutely right. Contact with metal will encourage browning.
> It's
> also wise to remove the core prior to storage, either cutting out with
> a
> plastic knife, or loosening and pulling out by hand.

You do not need to cut the core to get it out.

You hold the lettuce in one hand, with the core facing down, and bang
the core onto the counter or table. It will get driven into the head
about an inch, and when you raise the head off the table the core will
come out, shaped like a cone, with no harm at all done to the head of
lettuce.

It makes taking apart a head of lettuce VERY easy.

Mordechai