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 

  

• 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

  

• remove lettuce and store in large ziploc storage bags or in mason jar
• place in your refrigerator

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.

I you like this post please follow me via RSS feed by clicking on the icon on the sidebar or through bloglovin.