Keep lettuce away from fruit which gives off ethylene gas.
Lettuce is a favorite addition to salads, wraps, burgers and sandwiches. It is easy to store and keep fresh if you remember a few cooking fundamentals. Now you can store your favorite greens for longer and keep then fresher, but always buy the freshest lettuce you can find. Correct cleaning and storage of lettuce will produce healthy, good quality dishes and salads and will save you money by reducing waste.
Instructions
1. Store lettuce in its original bag. Shredded lettuce and many store-bought varieties are sold in bags that are made from a special plastic that preserves freshness. Once you have used the lettuce, wrap the remaining leaves tightly in the bag and keep in the bottom, crisper section of your refrigerator. If the lettuce does not come in a bag, store leaves in a sealable plastic bag. Place the leaves inside and squeeze out as much air as possible, without damaging the leaves, before sealing.
2. Using metal on lettuce causes a chemical reaction that turns the lettuce brown. It is better to tear lettuce rather than slice it with a knife. Avoid storing lettuce in metal containers; use a plastic container that seals tightly.
3. Store lettuce at a constant temperature. Freezing lettuce will render it soggy and useless on thawing. Opening the fridge too often lowers temperatures and causes condensation. Water dripping on the lettuce will cause it to get soggy. Do not pile other vegetables and fruit on top of your lettuce as bruised leaves spoil faster.
4. Wrap fresh lettuce in an absorbent paper towel, before returning it to its original bag, and place it in the fridge. The paper towel will absorb extra water and will prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy and going bad.
Tags: lettuce will, paper towel, Store lettuce
