freezing lettuce

[moanthebairns]

I like a sprinkling of lettuce with my meals be it tacos (where the lettuce is pretty fundamental) or with a some chicken and potatoes.

I became rather fed up of buying a whole lettuce only to use a few leaves then have to fling it in the bin as its gone bad a day or so later.

So I decided to freeze one. But when it came to defrosting my “ICEBERG” lettuce, it ended up with similar characteristics to a sheep’s brain. All brown and gooey on the outside and solid in the middle.

Why did it go off when it thawed out? Am I doomed to go to ASDA to buy a new lettuce 2 or 3 times a week. Or how can I make my lettuce last longer?

Lettuce hear your suggestions.

[mattviatura]

Leaf it out.

[shirt]

i'd guess that because lettuce has a very high water content the cells are bursting when frozen, so it defrosts all limp and stty.

aren't lettuces about 30p still?

[moanthebairns]

79 p!!

[dazco]

Found this for you

No you can't freeze lettuce but, I have found a way to keep it allot longer. When you get it home from the store, clean it and core it, then let it drain of excess water. Then put it in a gallon glad, or zip lock bag (one of those kind of bags), with several peices of paper towels. Push as much air out of the bag as you can. This keeps the moisture under control. Each time you use the lettuce, replace the paper towels. I have kept a head of lettuce for about a month this way. It was just as fresh as the day I bought it. Try it, You will be amazed, and save allot of money on lettuce!!

[dazco]

doogz said:

Surely the food bags and paper towels cost more than just buying a new lettuce.

No

[Simpo Two]

shirt said:

i'd guess that because lettuce has a very high water content the cells are bursting when frozen, so it defrosts all limp and stty.

This. Ice crystals form during the freezing process and rupture the cell membranes.

[moanthebairns]

dazco said:

Found this for you

No you can't freeze lettuce but, I have found a way to keep it allot longer. When you get it home from the store, clean it and core it, then let it drain of excess water. Then put it in a gallon glad, or zip lock bag (one of those kind of bags), with several peices of paper towels. Push as much air out of the bag as you can. This keeps the moisture under control. Each time you use the lettuce, replace the paper towels. I have kept a head of lettuce for about a month this way. It was just as fresh as the day I bought it. Try it, You will be amazed, and save allot of money on lettuce!!

I might try this. Not really bothered about the cost its just a pain going to asda every couple of days

[dazco]

moanthebairns said:

I might try this. Not really bothered about the cost its just a pain going to asda every couple of days

The cost is negligible I reckon. Lettuce are expensive, have you tried Lidl or Aldi?

[DeadMeat_UK]

You can buy "live heads" that are still in dirt, so will live a bit longer.

Or have a proper salad once a week and use it all up.

[Turn7]

You'd be better growing some cut and come again salad in a window box I reckon.

[moanthebairns]

Turn7 said:

You'd be better growing some cut and come again salad in a window box I reckon.

you just took that too far

[condor]

My Dad whinged early Spring about the cost of lettuce and how he was throwing so much away. He's been growing various different leaves in compost in a polystyrene tray (with extra heavy black bag base)on a tray/ table in his bay window.
I didn't think they looked too clever when I saw them - but, he seems to enjoy it.
He seems to think he'll be able to grow them all year long.

[Mazdarese]

Try a different, smaller lettuce? Romaine?

[Saul Goode]

Simpo Two said:

shirt said:

i'd guess that because lettuce has a very high water content the cells are bursting when frozen, so it defrosts all limp and stty.

This. Ice crystals form during the freezing process and rupture the cell membranes.

This x 2

Although if you freeze it quickly, with liquid nitrogen perhaps, then the ice crystals will be smaller and therefore may retain cell structure.

But it will probably be cheaper buying a new lettuce...

[Shaolin]

Mazdarese said:

Try a different, smaller lettuce? Romaine?

Romaine and small ones I think called Little Gem or similar that come in pairs or packs of three last for weeks in the fridge.

Edited by Shaolin on Wednesday 5th October 19:55

[Simpo Two]

Saul Goode said:

This x 2

Although if you freeze it quickly, with liquid nitrogen perhaps, then the ice crystals will be smaller and therefore may retain cell structure.

You probably have a science degree too

Speed is the thing (and also why they can't freeze humans. Well they can, but they don't work afterwards)

I was pondering freeze drying but I still don't think Mr Lettuce would be up to much afterwards.

You'll just have to buy less or eat it faster. Or get a rabbit to help out.

Shaolin said:

Little Gem or similar that come in pairs or packs of three last for weeks in the fridge.

Or that!

[anonymous-user]

a quick tip, never cut the lettuce take the whole leaves off, it will last longer.

[Mobile Chicane]

Simpo Two said:

Shaolin said:

Little Gem or similar that come in pairs or packs of three last for weeks in the fridge.

Or that!

How can they last that long, unless they're genetically modified / irradiated to inhibit decomposition?

This year, I'm having a stab at growing my own. Salad greens are expensive in winter, however seeds and growbags are cheap.

[Simpo Two]

Mobile Chicane said:

How can they last that long, unless they're genetically modified / irradiated to inhibit decomposition?

I hear that much salad stuff goes through a chlorinated dip (ie bleach).

I'd prefer cobalt-90 myself!