Question--refrigerator salad containers...?

[bliss_eternal]

I hope this is the right area for this question. I figured with all the great cooking from this forum, someone may know the best containers to store food, too. :hi:

What do I need to keep salads in, in my refrigerator? Is there something that keeps the lettuce and/or other ingredients fresh for a few days? Tupperware perhaps?

Any and all recommendations welcome--thanks!

bliss_e. :)

[wildeyed]

1. You could get one of those vacuum sealers.

They come with containers that you can put lettuce, berries and other delicates in. Then you hook it up to the sealer, and it sucks all the air out. You will get about twice the saving time that way.

Other than that, I don't use any specialty containers.

[bliss_eternal]

15. Why didn't I think of that?

LOL! Vacuum sealers are sold everywhere these days--thanks so much, wildeyed!

[Warpy]

2. When I bring leaf lettuce home

I pull the whole leaves off, douse them in water, spin them nearly dry, then roll them up in paper towels jelly roll fashion and put the roll into a plastic bag. Those greens last me about 10 days if I get sick and am off my feed. Otherwise, they last about 4 days.

The paper towels are still clean and can be used for anything you'd use them for ordinarily once you've eaten all the greens.

If I'm going to eat them within a day or two, I just keep them in whatever the supermarket did.

[Dora]

4. I do the same thing, but I use an old tea towel. n/t

[bliss_eternal]

16. What a great tip!

I never would have thought to do this...thanks so much, Warpy!

[Dora]

3. Here's a lettuce preservation tip....

Rinse your lettuce in a sinkful of cold water that has a few tablespoons of Vitamin C crystals dissolved in it (ascorbic acid crystals).

This also works as an anti-browning agent for sliced apples, and probably other fruits as well.

[bliss_eternal]

17. Another great tip!

Thank you, Dora--Can you find the vitamin C crystals anywhere? Anti-browning is a good thing. lol.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. Years ago, Tupperware made a lettuce keeper ......

It had this spike you shoved into the lettuce's core and then stuck the impaled lettuce into the container. It worked very, very well. Two weeks before there was any broning starting to form on the lettuce.

These only seem to be available used these days. Lots of them on eBay.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

7. Now they have a line called

Fridge Smart. They have 2 toggle vents on the side of the container so you can control the amount of moisture going into/out of the container. My lettuce and mushrooms keep very well in them. I've used them for other veggies and fruits with good results

[bliss_eternal]

14. Fridge Smart--

that's a compelling testimony. I'd like to check into getting one of these, new.

[bliss_eternal]

13. I think I recall those--

someone in my family had one (back in the day), they bought or won through a Tupperware party. Remember Tupperware parties? lol.

Thanks for this--I'm going to check around ebay. Do you think that they maintain their ability to work well after being used?

[DawgHouse]

19. I have one of those.

I bought it at a thrift shop for 1.00. It works very well!

[SoCalDem]

22. Those bowls take up too much room.. We use ziploc freezer bags

and washed lettuce, with a paper towel to soak up the excess water..

[troubleinwinter]

6. "EVERT-FRESH GREEN BAGS"

You can check it out here http://evertfresh.com/index.html but they don't sell retail. They say that it extends freshness of veggies 3-10 times.

I bought mine at 'Real Goods' in Hopland, CA. They sell them on their website http://www.realgoods.com/shop/shop2.cfm/dp/203/ts/2090018 "Once harvested, most produce releases ethylene gas, accelerating decomposition and causing fruits and vegetables to go bad. Evert-Fresh bags absorb and remove ethylene gas to prolong the life of food. Their anti-fog surface minimizes moisture to inhibit bacterial growth. Eliminate waste, keep produce fresh longer and reduce vitamin loss up to 50%."

I have size medium, and they are BIG! 7" wide, 8" deep and 17" tall.... would easily hold two large heads of leaf lettuce. I find them especially useful for fresh herbs.

[eleny]

8. What results have you experienced?

Does everything really last a lot longer?

[troubleinwinter]

9. Well,

I'd say 3-4 times longer, but not 10 times longer! I don't keep lettuce very long... we eat it pretty quick. But I have found them excellent for fresh herbs. I don't want to use the same herbs right away... it is nice to keep them awhile. I have found them very good for fresh spinach. I just aint buyin' "10 times longer"! (Puhleez!) I do know that I don't find myself throwing out old wilted slimy greens anymore. I still have half of the bags unused... Bought em at least 9 months ago, I am reusing them still. We are a family of two. They say they can be used 5-10 times, mine are still OK, and have certainly used them 10 times.

[eleny]

10. Thanks!

There's the two of us, too. It's mostly the greens I'd like to keep longer. Sounds like these bags are a winner if you don't notice stuff going slimy. We love lettuce and other greens for sandwiches and salads but I rarely can keep a head or bag of lettuce without them wilting badly.

Btw, I keep parsley in a container of water in the fridge door and put a plastic bag over it. I also snip the bottom of the stems before putting the bunch in water. It really helps.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

21. These bags would take up a lot less storage space

when empty than the Tupperware containers

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Wow, these look like a great idea

I hate throwing away herbs that I just can't use fast enough. No problem in summer hen they're from the garden, but in winter ... it gets costly.

[bliss_eternal]

18. Yes, they do--

thanks for the information on these!

[yellowdogintexas]

20. I bought those at my grocery store. ..Central Market.

They do extend the shelf life of your fresh stuff.

I love Tupperware too.

[bliss_eternal]

12. Wow--so many GREAT tips here--

You are all so generous...thank you! :hug: