How do you keep your iceburg lettuce from turning brown too fast??? I chopped up a head with a stainless steel knife and put it in a ziplock bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture on Wed and today...FRI...its all icky and brown... I'd like to get a couple more days out of it...don't want to have to run to the grocery store for lettuce every other day....ANY TIPS????

Michele

Don't chop your lettuce with a knife. Tear it with your fingers. The lettuce keeps better if it's torn and not cut. Or you can use a lettuce knife, they're made out of plastic. There's something about the metal (very technical reason, LOL) that causes the lettuce to brown.

Cheers!

Jen
Started Atkins 5.5.03
196/177/155 6'0"

What Jenna says!! Also, you can rinse it well with some acidulated water (just squeeze half a lemon into a quart or so of water, then rinse the lettuce with it, then rinse again with clear water) and then spin it dry in a salad spinner. Mine will last most of a week that way!

And when you put it in the Ziploc, press out as much air as you can without squashing the lettuce. Keeping air way from it as much as possible really helps too.

Char

Being "over the hill" is much better than being under it....

I can't keep my lettuce good for long, either. That's why I used to just grow it! But I've mostly switched to baby spinach now--it keeps longer, and when it wilts you can cook it.

Michele,
My lettuce used to do the same thing until I started giving it a "bath" in cold water with a hefty splash of white vinegar poured in. I usually use 3 different lettuces...like iceberg for crunch, green loose leaf, and romaine, or spinach. Clean the lettuce in the vinegar bath(you can't taste it afterwards), let the lettuce drain on a large towel on the counter, then TEAR the lettuce into pieces into a large tupperware bowl. The last thing I do, is place a couple of paper towels on top of the lettuce in the bowl, put the lid on, turn it upside down and give it a few shakes; then remove the wet paper towels. Put in fridge, and the pre-made salad lasts a good 5 days or more...we usually eat it all up waaaaaay before it would spoil. It may sound like a little more trouble, but I find it really saves me time during the week when I am scurrying around preparing dinner...the salad is always a "done deal"
HTH
Shelley

"if it ain't broke, don't fix it"
*LC WOLF*

Thanks for the great tips....I'll have to combine them all then I should get immortal lettuce!! LOL

Michele

Ditto the sugestion about using a plastic lettuce knife or tear apart with your fingers, BUT, the only way I can keep salad for 5 days is in a Tupperware container. I make a huge salad including tomatoes, red onion, zuccini, cukes, etc and put it all into a real Tupperware bowl with the lid that you squeeze the air out of. Works like a charm. DO NOT USE the Rubbermaid containers, they are not as good as the Tupperware.
P.S. I do not sell Tupperware! LOL

Shortie19
240+/193.5/130
Since 1/1/03

I was throwing away more lettuce than I was eating, expensive and frustrating. Then I saw an episode of Good Eats, on the Food Network that got to the “heart” of the problem. Here is what I learned from Alton:

As soon as you get the head home remove the core, break it apart and wash it in cold water discarding the outer leaves. I like the idea of a lemon or vinegar bath first and I will try it next time.

If you don’t have a salad spinner, get one. They aren’t very expensive and will definitely pay for themselves in greens you won’t be throwing away. Depending on the size of your spinner put in enough leaves to loosely fill it. It is better to do several spins rather than try and cram the whole head in there at once. Spin it a few times, pour out the water, shake and spin again.

Lie out a countertop length of paper towels and put a few leaves on the end. Fold the paper towel over those and then lay in another layer of leaves. Continue in the manor forming a jellyroll of paper towels and lettuce leaves.

Once the head is rolled up (if its a big head it might require two rolls), put it in a large zip lock bag. Zip the bag closed except for the last ½ inch or so. Insert a straw into the opening and, holding the zipper tight against the straw, suck as much air out of the bag as you can. Pull the straw out and seal the bag at the same time.

When you need fresh lettuce, just roll it out. It is amazing how fresh it looks and tastes. Make sure you remove the air when you reseal the bag. Mine will keep for a week easy. Happy salad making.

I hope that helps.

Jack

PS I cut of a length of identification band that held the head together, and put it in the bag before sealing. This way I can keep track of what's in it.

Tupperware makes a lettuce saver. A friend of mine has one and swears by it. She says a head of lettuce will last a month. I saw them on eBay for $1-$5.
I will be ordering one.
Renee

When I buy a head of lettuce I core it wash it then tear it up by hand and put it in the salad bag that I bought the pre-made salad in that costs too much ($2.99 for 2 pounds)! I seal it tight with a clip then it goes in the crisper and it is fresh for a long time! We eat a lot of salad so it never seems to spoil before I have to refill the bag! I add grated carrot ( just a little) very thinly shredded cabbage (green or red) and celery. Hubby adds cucumber, peppers, and chicken chunks in the morning. He swears it is the exact same grilled chicken salad Carl's Jr. sells for $4!! Only his grilled chicken is better! Made it with Lawry's no carb bar b q sauce! Yum!

I have a Tupperwear lettuce keeper - and can hold a head of lettuce for about 2 weeks. I can also buy a 6 pack of romain heart from Costco and will last for over a month. You might want to check your refrigerator for how cold it is. I never make up (tear, cut whatever) my salad until it is read to be eaten. (except when I take leftovers for lunch.) I will take a head or half of a head to work with me and it lasts 2weeks or so.

http://www.youravon.com/cnorulak

carolyn in texas
started 8/11/03
327/283/150

I'm with Jack. As long as the lettuce is washed, dried thoroughly, and kept from condensing once in the fridge, lettuce will keep for a week.

I cut with a stainless steel knife, I never give it a special bath, vitamins, or massages. I just keep it dry and it's fine at my house for days.

BC



172/108/108--5'2"
Zone since 4/98

Thank you for all your help....I am trying the Tupperware lettuce keeper...It is doing a fantastic job!

Michele