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Washing lettuce

Karb_Kween
Karb_Kween Posts: 2,681 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
When you buy lettuce do you take off the first outer layer and throw it away? I heard to that once. Not sure if it does anything

Replies

  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I throw away the parts that aren't edible and eat the rest.
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    Only if it's beat up, otherwise enjoy.
  • VeganRaptor
    VeganRaptor Posts: 164 Member
    I pop it in the compost for the buggies :)
    I'm a bit of a germaphobe though. It just makes me uncomfortable. I'm sure it's actually fine for you- I just hate thinking about all the hands touching it in the supermarket :tongue:
    I'd totally eat it if I had grown it myself or a friend had grown it :)
  • CMNVA
    CMNVA Posts: 733 Member
    I usually buy the romaine hearts that come three to a pack. The outside leaves are always kind of funky so I do discard those. Then I wash all the lettuce in a salad spinner. I have also heard to get rid of the outside leaves as those are most prone to harboring e-coli if there is to be any. You can't always even wash that off.
  • pdxwine
    pdxwine Posts: 389 Member
    I use produce wash, so I use all leaves.
  • c50blvdbabe
    c50blvdbabe Posts: 213 Member
    I definitely throw away the outer leaves as they look the most banged up/dirty/just all around undesirable.
  • NewGemini130
    NewGemini130 Posts: 219 Member
    Bunny food.
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    I throw out the outer leaves.
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    Yup, that's what I do. I take the outer leaves off, as those would have been touched in the packaging..But I thought just a weird germaphoby thing I have about eating/touching things that have been touched by Lord knows who.. (Working in the food distribution industry years ago, I once lucked upon a worker peeing on a skid of Pepsi that was getting ready to go on the truck. That moment changed my thinking completely!!)

  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,150 Member
    I throw out the outer leaves. I don't wash lettuce.
  • Karb_Kween
    Karb_Kween Posts: 2,681 Member
    edited November 2016
    zyxst wrote: »
    I throw out the outer leaves. I don't wash lettuce.

    You should probably reconsider that

    Sometimes I feel like just using water isn't enough
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,150 Member
    Karb_Kween wrote: »
    zyxst wrote: »
    I throw out the outer leaves. I don't wash lettuce.

    You should probably reconsider that

    Sometimes I feel like just using water isn't enough

    I have an immune system that's functioning. I've eaten bugs and dirt before. Drying out lettuce (any leafy veg) is a PITA. Salad spinners don't do the trick.
  • Karb_Kween
    Karb_Kween Posts: 2,681 Member
    edited November 2016
    crazyravr wrote: »
    Buy prewashed and problems solved.

    Yeah okay chlorine
  • not_my_first_rodeo
    not_my_first_rodeo Posts: 311 Member
    crazyravr wrote: »
    Buy prewashed and problems solved.

    Unfortunately, I can't afford that. I buy the kind on the head which is usually substantially cheaper. If the leaves look banged up, I discard them. The rest I tear or chop up and put through a salad spinner.

    I do the same thing for spinach.
  • Karb_Kween
    Karb_Kween Posts: 2,681 Member
    crazyravr wrote: »
    Karb_Kween wrote: »
    crazyravr wrote: »
    Buy prewashed and problems solved.

    Yeah okay chlorine

    Hmmmm what?

    The prewashed stuff smells like chlorine
  • grayblackmfp
    grayblackmfp Posts: 140 Member
    Always wash it. If you are really worried about germs you can wash it in a solution of milton.
  • Karb_Kween
    Karb_Kween Posts: 2,681 Member
    I thought about doing vinegar for all fruits and veggies
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    I always wash in plain water, but have often wondered if I should be using soap as well. Seems strange to see bits of dirt on it and consider it okay to use plain water to clean it.

    I mean seriously, if you had dirt on your hands you would definitely use soap along with the water to clean up.
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    We have an alkalizing machine attached to the butcher's sink on our kitchen island with an Acid option for washing veggies, fruits, cutting boards et al. I wash it.
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    Karb_Kween wrote: »
    I thought about doing vinegar for all fruits and veggies

    Used to use vinegar to was fruits and veggies too. :D
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    Edit: wash.

    Eesh!
  • jennypapage
    jennypapage Posts: 489 Member
    if they look good ,no i don't. i submerge all the leaves i intend to eat in water with some vinegar in it, leave them to sit for 20',then rinse with water,dry them and eat them.
  • Karb_Kween
    Karb_Kween Posts: 2,681 Member
    TonyB0588 wrote: »
    I always wash in plain water, but have often wondered if I should be using soap as well. Seems strange to see bits of dirt on it and consider it okay to use plain water to clean it.

    I mean seriously, if you had dirt on your hands you would definitely use soap along with the water to clean up.

    Agreed. I think the white vinegar idea is definitely a win. I'm going to start doing that
This discussion has been closed.

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