Tag: cleaning lettuce

Lettuce Storage Method

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I recently read this blog post on Blissful and Domestic  about buying your produce for the month then storing it wisely so it will last.  After reading this I decided I needed to get better about storing my produce to make it last longer.

I remembered how I used in the past this lettuce cleaning and storage method I learned about from a book I read a couple of years ago.  The book is called More Hours In My Day by Emilie Barnes and Sheri Torelli.  It is a great book with lots of helpful ideas for anyone who wants to improve their home and family organization.

Okay – on to the lettuce information – to keep your lettuce fresh for a week or longer you will follow this procedure:

  • wash all lettuce
  • dry lettuce on towels – blot with another towel 
  • place lettuce in mesh laundry-lingerie bag 

    Photos of lettuce washed, dried and placed in mesh laundry bag
    Photos of lettuce washed, dried and placed in mesh laundry bag
  • put lettuce in empty washing machine – Yes, your washing machine!
  • Select the spin cycle (mine says drain & spin) – usually this is at the end of the cycle
  • let the drain and spin cycle run its course

    Lettuce in mesh laundry bag placed in washing machine - then run spin cycle to remove all excess water
    Lettuce in mesh laundry bag placed in washing machine – then run spin cycle to remove all excess water
  • remove lettuce and store in large ziploc storage bags or in mason jar
  • place in your refrigerator
Lettuce placed in ziploc bag or mason jar after hand washed and put through spin cycle in washing machine
Lettuce placed in ziploc bag or mason jar after hand washed and put through spin cycle in washing machine

I can keep lettuce fresh for at least 7 to 10 days using this method.  It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to prep everything for this method but then all your lettuce is all clean, fresh and crisp – ready for any salad or sandwich.  I seem to eat a lot more salads in the summer so it is nice to have lettuce that is ready to use.  I usually process a whole bag of 3 romaine hearts and some red or green leaf artisan lettuce so I have a variety available in the refrigerator.  Note:  I have not yet tried this method using the washing machine with iceberg lettuce.  I don’t buy that type of lettuce that frequently.

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