Post by Shawn on Oct 28, 2018 10:12:26 GMT -5
Here I will post some Tips and Tricks for lettuce I have come across.
Before I begin, if you have a Tip or helpful information you would like to add, please PM me with it and I will update the thread.
Before I begin, if you have a Tip or helpful information you would like to add, please PM me with it and I will update the thread.
- Want to ward off brown lettuce tips? Brown edges usually happen when you trim with a knife or scissors. The metal can brown or "rust" the tips. Plastic knives help lessen then browning. The best way to avoid browning is to tear the lettuce.
Tearing by hand allows the leaves to follows the natural leaf veins and leads to less harmful cell rupturing, which encourages browning. - Once cut, to keep your lettuce fresh, wrap it in a paper towel or dish cloth that has been wet and wrung out. Place the lettuce in the cloth. Gently and loosely roll it up. You can place it in a container or zipped up baggie. Keep in a refrigerator until ready to use. (NOTE: Never rinse lettuce you purchase until ready to use. It will last longer)
- Spinning lettuce dry is said to be the best way to dry the lettuce and keep it with a lot less bruises. When I do wash lettuce I always place it on a towel. I lay a towel on top and gently pat to dry. Works for me.
- Fruits with high-ethylene in them (ie; avocados, apples, tomatoes, pears, kiwis and cantaloupe) release gases as they ripen, causing other produce to age prematurely. Keep these fruits away from the lettuce to keep your greens fresh and crisp.
- Do you have slightly wilted lettuce? If so you can crisp it up. All you need to do is soak the cut lettuce in ice water for 2 - 5 minutes. Dry as normal and enjoy.
- Lettuce can really be harvested at any size. The smaller the leaf, the more tender and mild the leaf will be. If you want a more robust flavor, especially with mustard greens, wait until they are large and fully matured. Most mustard leaves can reach 8" long.
- When harvesting lettuce, try to do it during the coolest part of the day. It will help keep the lettuce from wilting as quickly. (Outdoor Tip)