Lettuce is one of the most used vegetables in everyday life. Versatile and light, it appears in salads, sandwiches and different preparations, but it tends to have little durability and can become soggy easily.
Five tips to help lettuce last longer in the fridge
Lettuce is one of the most used vegetables in everyday life. Versatile and light, it appears in salads, sandwiches and different preparations, but it tends to have little durability and can become soggy easily. The...
The EatingWell website has put together some guidelines to better preserve leaves and extend the shelf life of food.
1. Look at the sheets before purchasing
Care starts at the supermarket. Before taking the lettuce home, check if the leaves are wrinkled, dark or damaged.
According to Drew McDonald, from Taylor Farms, choosing leaves in good condition helps to increase shelf life.
2. Store properly after opening
Once opened, lettuce must be stored properly to make it last longer. Experts recommend consuming the outermost leaves first, as they tend to suffer more from oxidation and loss of moisture.
To preserve them better, transfer the leaves to a ventilated container or a plastic bag with an airtight closure, along with a paper towel. Then keep it in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
3. Avoid cross-contamination
As lettuce is generally consumed raw, it is important to avoid contact with risky foods such as raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.
Before preparing, wash your hands well and sanitize countertops, cutting boards and utensils with hot water and soap.
If lettuce comes into contact with raw food, it can become a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria, compromising the safety and quality of the leaves.
4. Don't wash lettuce with soap
Despite food safety concerns, lettuce should not be washed with soap. This habit can do more harm than good.
The ideal is to rinse the leaves under cold running water before consumption.
5. Wash only before consuming
Lettuce should only be washed when used. Washing all leaves before storing increases humidity, encourages bacterial growth and accelerates spoilage.
More tips for preserving lettuce
If you are not going to use the lettuce right away, keep the original packaging tightly closed in the refrigerator to reduce oxidation.
When the lettuce is already packaged and ready to eat, there is no need to wash it again.
It is also important to limit exposure to air. To do this, remove excess air from the packaging and close the bag tightly, avoiding crushing the leaves.
Another recommendation is to only remove the amount that will be consumed. Once handled, sheets should not be returned to their original packaging.
Five foods that should not be eaten raw
Cake batter, unpasteurized milk, ground meat, dried beans and some mushrooms may contain bacteria, toxins or compounds that are harmful to your health. Experts recommend proper cooking or pasteurization before consumption
Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora
This story was originally published by Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora. Visit the original publication for further details.
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