Zenovia Harris. Hi Zenovia. If you have really spent years trying to figure this out, then you really need to get out more 😂 Of course you should wait for lockdown to finish first
Zenovia Harris.Well you now seem to have 75 people agreeing with you Zenovia. I am sure you didn't take my comment too much to heart. Stay safe & healthy during these worrying times 😀👍
Also for those who are getting air in the bag a few things; A cheap thin bag (like from the Dollar Store) will be much less efficient because they are susceptible to tiny tears. A higher quality name brand bag is best. Also make sure to suck ALL of the air out of the bag so that it looks like it's cryovaced. Do this every time that you put the lettuce back into the fridge and it will most definitely work. I've been doing this at home for years and it has never failed. I hope this helps :)
Yeah, well, our kids and their kids are going to look "cryovaced" by the time we stop using this thick plastic "for years". Do yo wash your plastic straws each time or just toss them?
Since changing to a plant based diet a few years ago, lettuce never lasted long enough in our house to go bad, but with the pandemic looming over us, I try to only go to the store every 2-3 weeks, so this video is a lifesaver.
my grandmother taught me this back in high school she always said sealed it up good and use an straw to suck the air out. it will last longer. and still today I use it on everything I freeze
Thanks for the handy tip I’ll have to give it a try. I extend my lettuce by washing, parring off excess water rolling lettuce up dry paper towels and putting the in a gallon ziplock. I like your idea better. Oh and when I was my vegetable that I don’t personally grow, I add vinegar to the water and let them sit in the solution for a bit to kill off molds or bacteria’s.
Yes, it works. Another trick is after you rinse any greens, shake well and then I wrap it in paper towels or a clean dishcloth and then slide it into a plastic grocery bag and tie loosely. Amazing. Mushrooms, I always buy whole unsliced. Bring home, tip onto a large dish cloth and wrap before sliding in a bag or large container with a lid. Towels, cloths or paper wicks away moisture and they stay beautifully.
SUMMARY (of video & Dan's comments below): 1. break DON’T cut leaves away from stem. Note: longer shelf life when torn from stem rather than cut. If cut, will last up to a week (rather than 3). This is b/c once the leaves are cut they are no longer "living" and will break down faster. 2. clean (if wet, then dry completely) Options: - drain in a colander then pat with paper towel - lay out on paper towels for about an hour 3. put in ziplock bag (thicker, higher quality is better. Recommend: “gauge bag”) 4. seal almost to the edge then insert straw in the end and suck out all the air (so that it looks like it's cryovaced). Can also use lips if no straw. Or try hand held vacuum sealer (under $20). Note: The whole idea is to keep oxygen out of the gas so lettuce won’t break down. 5. put in refrigerator 6. repeat every time you use some of it (rinse & reuse the same thick plastic bag over and over and over. Same with the plastic straw).
When you wash the lettuce and any produce, soak it in water, for 10 mins., with a tablespoon of vinegar to kill latent bacteria and remove pesticides and fertilizer residue.
Shoulda said in my previous comment. I cut the lettuce into proportions for serving. Did the bag seal trick. Last bag was 6 weeks old and a few ends of the leaf were just starting to wilt. This worked so well, I bought a hand held vacuum sealer gor under $ 20.00 and always seal this way. Seal cheese too cause I live alone and was constantly throwing cheese away after buying shredded cheese for tacos. Too much in the bag and much too expensive to throwaway!!
You can also wrap the cheese in a plastic wrap, like Saran wrap. Pull it tight around the cheese so no air gets in. Each time you use the cheese, re-wrap it the same way. Use a new piece of wrap if necessary. I used to work in a cheese shop, we bought cheese by the wheel and that's what we did to keep it fresh.
Dan you were right!!! The straw sucking out the air is the key!!! I did this and it’s been four days since I washed and bagged my lettuce and no brown still fresh and crisp. Thank you for this great tip. Jody
Oh crap I've been doing this for 20 years! Everybody laughs at me and says that doesn't work. It does but they don't believe it when I say it. Gotta show everybody this video. Thank you Thank you Thank you. :)
Another thing that works well is add three or four STAINLESS STEEL table spoons inside the bag and it will keep the chopped up lettuce fresh for a number of days maybe five or six 5 or6 days, however I make a small salad every day which gives me four servings. Thanks so much for your great video.
You have the best fruits and vegetables. I have been visiting your vegetable store for almost as long as you have been open. I only drop in for a few vegetables and a little fruit as I need it. You are also very nice to your customers.I love the tuturial I just watched. Thank you, Dan.
As you can see from the picture, I am a guinea pig. My owner is unexpectedly without a car and it may take a while to get another one. Frequent trips to the grocer for my yummy vegetables have become much more difficult. I need greens to keep my little body healthy and strong. You have made my life much better and my owner's life much easier. Many thanks, my new human friend.
@@sheilabaker7599 We are okay. Your lettuce techniques are even more important now that everyone is supposed to stay at home. Thanks again for sharing your tricks. (If you want to see me you are most welcome to visit my Instagram page, petuniafrompittsburgh.
I'll bet this will work for stalks of celery too...gonna try it either way. Tired of seeing my lettuce go bad due to air exposure. Food is worth this simple, yet effective solution. Thanks to Dan the Produce Man...very clever tip here. Saves money buying greens often...brilliant!
Perfect! Thank you for this tip. So kind of you to share this because it is so important to save as much produce as long as we can during this pandemic.
Hi Lelo, Two things: 1 86 the straw and just use your lips directly onto the small opening of the bag. This will get more air out. Suck it out until the lettuce looks and I emphasize looks like it is getting crushed then seal the bag really fast. It should hold. 2. try a higher quality ziplock. It works best with thicker plastic. Thanks for tuning in! Dan
Hey Guys and Gals....when using plastic zip bags, I only use the Freezer type and most times it's the Zip Lock Brand, they're stronger, I also wash and reuse them as long as no raw meat has been stored in them. When they're no longer good, I'll rinse, let them dry , then recycle them with the plastic bags I take back to the stores for recycling. When I refrigerated or freeze anything , most times I'll use the Square Rubbermaid Take Along Containers, the ones with the red lids, they seem to have a better seal, the square shape doesn't waste space and they're easier when stacking. I'm so excited to try that idea about lettuce, WOW!!!! That sure will be Great, going to let my family know too. Everyone Stay Safe, Stay Well and GOD BLESS !!
Yes, this works with any greens as well as celery. No salad spinner needed, just make sure after you wash the greens that they drain enough in colander. This works perfect for whole leaves that have not been cut up. Once the leaves are cut they are no longer "living" and will break down faster, although you will get some longevity using this method, but for maximum longevity keep them whole until you are ready to use them. I hope this helps. - Dan
Thanks for sharing. Your video was short, sweet, effective, and to the point. All the other videos I have watched show cutting the lettuce before storing, yours was the only one that showed not cutting it, therefore it lasting a lot longer. I will be using this method. Thanks again and be blessed! :)
It works. I squeeze the bag when it's full and then seal the last 1/2 inch before air can get back in. It will last quite a while. Now make bananas last Dan
Another hack from the produce clerk at my local grocer was to cut a little off the bottom every other day. Been doing this a couple of years and now never toss lettuce away. Will run the lettuce under water as well.
hey Dan I love your content, I just found you out today, and I love your enthusiasm for lettuce and vegetable products, and I made a video using my favourite Dan voice clips from this video, it's really bad but I will be watching more of your content, thank you for your continued years of wisdom.
We have a 1 eyed guinea pig, and he eats a LOT of lettuce, but he's also a picky little SOB. If the lettuce isn't fresh, he won't touch it. We spend a small fortune on lettuce (leaf, romaine, butter, hydroponic), so I was looking for a way to avoid the supermarket, just for the guinea pig, three or four times a week. I have to say that the best way I've found so far is a modification of this: I do everything he suggests, except I store the lettuce in a tall square plastic container, with one bamboo (or paper) towel each at the top and bottom of the container, and the lettuce, spun dry, between them. I don't keep it a long time; I just have to keep it SUPER fresh, and this works. I can't verify for how long, or if it'll work with spring mix (which I've found notoriously short-lived), but FWIW, it does keep lettuce leaves PERFECTLY FRESH for at least 4 days.
It's always a bit painful to throw away so many vegitables. I've started chopping most frest produce up and freezing it, but that doesn't work well with things like spinach and lettuce. So thanks for this solution!
Oh my gosh...9 years latter.....thks so much for the advice, from all the comments I know it works Dan. question: will this work for parsley, cilantro and celery??? Can you mention all the uses you’ve given this method? Thks. again.
Thank you for watching Monica, yes, it will work for all leaf items, of course, some leaf items are more delicate than others and the length of time will vary, but yes it does work for them.
I remove 2-3 layers first (I sometimes use the second and third layer, depending on how soiled the Lettuce is). I then wrap the Lettuce in the ClingWrap, without washing. I store it in the fridge just like that, clean ball. I take it out, take 2-3 layers as needed, then wrap back again in the same ClingWrap piece. It lasts for 2-3 weeks easily.
I find that not washing it(wash as needed)& storing it in a glass tight fitted jar preserves longer life of lettuce,it discovered that for myself!!!! IT WORKS!!!!
Some of the best tips that have come to me were from customers over the years. Some of the best recipes too. Somewhere I have a box of handwritten recipes from the 70s & 80s customers that have long since passed. I'll have to look for it and share some of them.
Thank you I'm trying to keep my shredded lettuce fresh due to money shortages and I use the lettuce in my burrito so this will definitely help thanks 😁
no need to wrap them in paper towel? i stumbled upon your video coz i recently started doing low carb / low calorie so i wanted to know best ways to preserve my greens. i will give this a try.
No need gor a paper towel if you let the lettuce/greens thoroughly air dry. However it will absorb excess moisture, so it's whatever you're most comfortable with. Best wishes on Keto success!
In an effort to eliminate as much plastic from my home and from the landfills/ocean, I decided to use glass containers to store my veggies, including lettuce. I just started, so don't know how long they will last, and actually, we'll use it within a week, so I may never know about lettuce, but I don't always use the kale, spinach, cucumbers, or tomatoes within a week. Do you, Dan, or anyone else, have thoughts on using glass containers with "airtight" lids for storing these veggies, and/or fruits?
This works for heartier lettuce, but iceberg is different. I prep my lettuce, but also add and change out plain white paper towels to absorb any excess moisture, and poke air holes in the bags
Thanks !!!!!! FINALLY !!!!!!!!!!! , PLAIN AND SIMPLE IN 2 MINUTES OR LESS. NOW MY FIRST GARDEN LETTUCE CAN BE SAVED !!! LOVE YOU DAN 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙌🍻😇👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Peggy Ayres - I thought Dan tore off about 4-5 leaves and washed ONLY THOSE, and drained them. The rest of the head was not washed or wrapped before placed in freezer Ziplock 1-gallon bag. Air was squeezed or rolled out, then sucked out. The inside leaves don’t need washing bc they’re never exposed to dirty air.
@@jeannedinovo5543 .....I think he didn't wash all the lettuce because of how much time it would take while doing the video, normally, you would separate and wash the whole thing like he did with the few leaves.
Good question Arizona Elevators, I would imagine it is a digital recording on a timer, but I will ask my friend who is the produce director for a large supermarket chain and get back to you on that. I do know that the misting systems that were installed back in the 1980s would just start spraying without notice and customers were getting wet. In a store that I worked at back then, a lady complained because she just came from the hairdresser and it messed up her hairdo as she was picking out some carrots. The warning audio came into play as a result of many similar incidents.
Nice. Maybe you can tell me how to keep lettuce freshly picked fresh .I know the farms spray something on them . by the next day at market I just want to trash my lettuce. Thanks Angie with Mauki Sun Farm STL
After you pick your lettuce place it in a jar or depending on how much you've harvested in a tub of water with the cut or root side in the water. Think of it like cut flowers in a vase, the cut side absorbs the water because the plant is still alive. Lettuce or any greens work the same way. Place that in the refrigerator and it should last longer. Let me know how it turns out for you: danthefreshproduceman@gmail.com
Does this work for pre-washed salad? It goes super fast. I put mine in a plastic box specifically made for keeping a head of lettuce fresh but it didn’t seem to work for prepackaged salad. It was mushy in a day or two. I’m single so I buy two small bags but I can’t finish it quickly enough. Thanks.
Pre-washed/packaged salads whether organic or conventional are packaged in bags with special technology that allows the product to breathe. Thousands of micro-holes allows the gases produced by the product out and air to come in. With this technology your packaged salads should last a good week in your refrigerator. If you are buying baby mixed greens, such as spring mix, baby romaine or any of the baby mixes the leaves are very tender and bruise easily, when this happens they break down quickly. The other factor may be time out of refrigeration. Once that package is removed from the store's refrigerated shelves and placed in your cart the "cold chain" is broken. The amount of time it takes to continue shopping and the trip home before it gets into the refrigerator could very well be the problem. If it's longer than 45 minutes then your salad will have very minimal life. I have never been a fan of packaged salads, I just can't wrap my head around eating greens that are rinsed with bleach even if it is a mild amount. My suggestion is to buy full heads of whatever variety organic lettuce that you enjoy and cut it up yourself, it takes very little time and you won't keep losing product and money. I hope this helps you MyQueenFreddyMercury! If you have any more questions feel free to email me at danthefreshproduceman@gmail.com
herno1 - for cut vegetables that are softer and wetter, I suggest the paper tower-lined plastic bowl method. Just sayin... also much easier to grab a few handfuls and just seal the plastic lid back onto the bowl... after burping it!
Great tip, thank you from lockdown London, UK. Would you know how to keep bagged or mixed lettuce leaves fresh which have been pre washed? Currently, I’m wrapping them in kitchen paper and putting them back in the plastic bag they came in. I use this method for punnets of strawberries,bunches of grapes , blueberries and loose veg like carrots etc and even sliced bread, which I keep in the fridge and it works well on all of them except the lettuce leaves!
I have no idea , but I enjoyed reading your query. I hope someone has an answer for you. Question... I see "bah-nah-nahs" on my dear(Hyacinth!) Brit-com re-runs...how expensive would they have to be in England in December?🤗 Stay safe,warm ,dry and blessed. ❤️from 🇺🇸 to 🇬🇧.
@ jude james Hi there, Thank you for your reply, but due to our two great nations being divided by a common language, I don’t quite understand your question! In reply, I have several questions: 1. Who or what is Hyacinth? 2. Why has she/it got bananas 🍌 all over her/it? 3. Why would the price of bananas vary in December in England? Hope you are enjoying the Brit-com re-runs, I’ve spent this morning watching The Vietnam War on PBS America and am consequently going to have to have some tea and cake to cheer myself up enough to take my dog out. As I’m writing this, I can hear 2 Police Officers on horseback going past from the local Police 👮♀️ Station, it is very quiet with everyone in lockdown, which is a positive in all of this. Keep smiling and stay safe too ❤️from 🏴 to 🇺🇸
Hi Stephanie, I have cut cucumbers into slices at times and used the same method. The longevity is only a few days due to their high water content so I rarely do it. I never refrigerate tomatoes. Because tomatoes are a sub-tropical fruit chilling them kills the enzymes that give them their flavor, I always use the whole tomato in my salad. I hope this helps, feel free to email me at danthefreshproduceman@gmail.com
Rupali K The shelf life of the lettuce is better off when it is torn from the stem rather than cut into pieces. However cut pieces will last up to a week or so if you use the method in my video .
@@DantheProduceMan That's not what he's asking. Iceberg is a big round ball. Do you disassemble it, wash it and lay it flat? I know he said cut but he didn't mean that as 'too' was included. Some people from other countries haven't completely mastered the English language but I give them much credit as I can only speak one language.
I just spent 45 minutes watching videos about storing lettuce. You are the winner. Congratulations.
Thank you Thomas!
For years I have been trying to figure out the best solution. This is cheap, efficient, and straight to the point. Thankz Dan
And so much PLASTIC for the oceans! :-D
Zenovia Harris. Hi Zenovia. If you have really spent years trying to figure this out, then you really need to get out more 😂 Of course you should wait for lockdown to finish first
Stephen Andrews well this comment is old Hun 🤦🏽♀️ n 71 other people seems to agree with me thank you very much
Zenovia Harris.Well you now seem to have 75 people agreeing with you Zenovia. I am sure you didn't take my comment too much to heart. Stay safe & healthy during these worrying times 😀👍
Also for those who are getting air in the bag a few things; A cheap thin bag (like from the Dollar Store) will be much less efficient because they are susceptible to tiny tears. A higher quality name brand bag is best. Also make sure to suck ALL of the air out of the bag so that it looks like it's cryovaced. Do this every time that you put the lettuce back into the fridge and it will most definitely work. I've been doing this at home for years and it has never failed. I hope this helps :)
Yeah, well, our kids and their kids are going to look "cryovaced" by the time we stop using this thick plastic "for years". Do yo wash your plastic straws each time or just toss them?
Some videos suggested using paper towerls in the bag with the lettuce. Any thoughts ?
Dan, Doesn't the lettuce need to be COMPLETELY DRIED BEFORE sealing the bag in order for it to remain fresh?? Should use a spinner to dry it ....
I use a metal straw these days.
Yes, the paper towel works well to absorb excess moisture
Since changing to a plant based diet a few years ago, lettuce never lasted long enough in our house to go bad, but with the pandemic looming over us, I try to only go to the store every 2-3 weeks, so this video is a lifesaver.
OMG. I tried this and my lettuce was good 6 weeks later!!
lmfao :P >.>
Did you need to COMPLETELY DRY THE LETTUCE BEFORE SEALING THE BAG??
yes it really works. I've kept lettuce up to a month. hallelujah! It has srsly changed my life. well, my food life ;)
Omg 6 weeks??? So this means you had 2 leave every day or you keep it there that long for what?? 🙆♀️
SIX weeks? Before eating that, you HAD to have thought "Meh... I've lived a full life."
How is this guy not making money with his miraculous voice? Damn.
Right?! I don’t give a damn about lettuce, but he had me at hello!
He does have a great commercial voice!
Maybe he is
kipkay got some competion
YES!!
I WILL try this! I know I've composted more lettuce than I've ever eaten. Thank you!
FANTASTIC ...DAN!!!
Hahaha me too.
Haha...same here! I love this hack!
This guy has a great radio voice! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Rebecca!
And old lady taught me this trick when I was living in South Africa many many years ago - I've never forgotten it. x
my grandmother taught me this back in high school she always said sealed it up good and use an straw to suck the air out. it will last longer. and still today I use it on everything I freeze
Thanks for the handy tip I’ll have to give it a try. I extend my lettuce by washing, parring off excess water rolling lettuce up dry paper towels and putting the in a gallon ziplock. I like your idea better. Oh and when I was my vegetable that I don’t personally grow, I add vinegar to the water and let them sit in the solution for a bit to kill off molds or bacteria’s.
Also good to use the air displacement method. Submerge the Ziploc bag in a buck of water till all the air is gone, zip tight, enjoy!
Aldana G. - A SINK OF COOL WATER, OR A POT OF WATER LARGE ENOUGH T HOLD A HEAD OF LETTUCE, WILL WORK JUST AS WELL. JS
what about cilantro... plz tell
Thank you so much, Dan! I have wasted so much lettuce because I didn't know how to keep it fresh. You're the best!!!
Thank you Nancy!
Yes, it works. Another trick is after you rinse any greens, shake well and then I wrap it in paper towels or a clean dishcloth and then slide it into a plastic grocery bag and tie loosely. Amazing.
Mushrooms, I always buy whole unsliced. Bring home, tip onto a large dish cloth and wrap before sliding in a bag or large container with a lid. Towels, cloths or paper wicks away moisture and they stay beautifully.
That works perfectly!
SUMMARY (of video & Dan's comments below):
1. break DON’T cut leaves away from stem. Note: longer shelf life when torn from stem rather than cut. If cut, will last up to a week (rather than 3). This is b/c once the leaves are cut they are no longer "living" and will break down faster.
2. clean (if wet, then dry completely)
Options:
- drain in a colander then pat with paper towel
- lay out on paper towels for about an hour
3. put in ziplock bag (thicker, higher quality is better. Recommend: “gauge bag”)
4. seal almost to the edge then insert straw in the end and suck out all the air (so that it looks like it's cryovaced). Can also use lips if no straw. Or try hand held vacuum sealer (under $20). Note: The whole idea is to keep oxygen out of the gas so lettuce won’t break down.
5. put in refrigerator
6. repeat every time you use some of it (rinse & reuse the same thick plastic bag over and over and over. Same with the plastic straw).
Thank you.
When you wash the lettuce and any produce, soak it in water, for 10 mins., with a tablespoon of vinegar to kill latent bacteria and remove pesticides and fertilizer residue.
@@farshimelt Nice! Will do. Thanks!
@@farshimelt I've heard hydrogen peroxide also works
@@douglascampfire678 Yes it does but vinegar is a lot cheaper & any residue of H2O2 will leave a terrible taste.
Shoulda said in my previous comment. I cut the lettuce into proportions for serving. Did the bag seal trick. Last bag was 6 weeks old and a few ends of the leaf were just starting to wilt. This worked so well, I bought a hand held vacuum sealer gor under $ 20.00 and always seal this way. Seal cheese too cause I live alone and was constantly throwing cheese away after buying shredded cheese for tacos. Too much in the bag and much too expensive to throwaway!!
I throw away a lot of cheese also. Will this work on iceberg lettuce also?
You can freeze cheese. Just portion out what you will use for a week or two at a time, and freeze.
@@andijackson2296 Thanks, cheese is expensive and I have had to throw out a lot. Appreciate it.
You can also wrap the cheese in a plastic wrap, like Saran wrap. Pull it tight around the cheese so no air gets in. Each time you use the cheese, re-wrap it the same way. Use a new piece of wrap if necessary. I used to work in a cheese shop, we bought cheese by the wheel and that's what we did to keep it fresh.
Nancy Dubin was the lettuce wet or dry when placed in zip bag
Also r u saying seal the same way for 🧀cheeze ?? And it won’t mold ?
Dan you were right!!! The straw sucking out the air is the key!!! I did this and it’s been four days since I washed and bagged my lettuce and no brown still fresh and crisp. Thank you for this great tip. Jody
Glad to be of help Jody, thank you for watching!
Dan, you are a born teacher, such charm & vigor. Thanks so much. Your voice is also most convincing, so you need to chose wisely, and you do.
mamacordella What thank you mamacordella!
Great tip on using the straw and on breaking the leaves off one by one rather than cutting through the bottom of the bunch. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏🤗
Oh crap I've been doing this for 20 years! Everybody laughs at me and says that doesn't work. It does but they don't believe it when I say it. Gotta show everybody this video. Thank you Thank you Thank you. :)
Another thing that works well is add three or four STAINLESS STEEL table spoons inside the bag and it will keep the chopped up lettuce fresh for a number of days maybe five or six 5 or6 days, however I make a small salad every day which gives me four servings. Thanks so much for your great video.
You have the best fruits and vegetables. I have been visiting your vegetable store for almost as long as you have been open. I only drop in for a few vegetables and a little fruit as I need it. You are also very nice to your customers.I love the tuturial I just watched. Thank you, Dan.
Well thank you Alma! Please introduce yourself next time you are in!
As you can see from the picture, I am a guinea pig. My owner is unexpectedly without a car and it may take a while to get another one. Frequent trips to the grocer for my yummy vegetables have become much more difficult. I need greens to keep my little body healthy and strong. You have made my life much better and my owner's life much easier. Many thanks, my new human friend.
Petunia....What a cute comment ....Hope you both Stay Safe and Stay Well....GOD BLESS !!
@@sheilabaker7599 We are okay. Your lettuce techniques are even more important now that everyone is supposed to stay at home. Thanks again for sharing your tricks. (If you want to see me you are most welcome to visit my Instagram page, petuniafrompittsburgh.
OMG love this advice and brings back memories seeing where he is from I graduated Encinal HS in 69!
When you're a Jet, you're a Jet...
I'll bet this will work for stalks of celery too...gonna try it either way. Tired of seeing my lettuce go bad due to air exposure. Food is worth this simple, yet effective solution. Thanks to Dan the Produce Man...very clever tip here. Saves money buying greens often...brilliant!
Thank you Michael, it will work for other greens and celery.
The lady on the left is the reason a person has to really clean the produce very well. She touched a lot before taking one.
Lol too true. The way we live now.
It isn't just her.....there's the farmers, workers who picked it from the fields, the packers, loaders, sellers , buyers and etc.
Perfect! Thank you for this tip. So kind of you to share this because it is so important to save as much produce as long as we can during this pandemic.
Hi Lelo, Two things: 1 86 the straw and just use your lips directly onto the small opening of the bag. This will get more air out. Suck it out until the lettuce looks and I emphasize looks like it is getting crushed then seal the bag really fast. It should hold.
2. try a higher quality ziplock. It works best with thicker plastic.
Thanks for tuning in!
Dan
You may need a higher quality zip lock or it was not sealed up enough or there may be a micro hole in the bag.
Dan the Produce Man I use this method when closing my loaf of sandwich bread. It datays soft longer.
Hey Guys and Gals....when using plastic zip bags, I only use the Freezer type and most times it's the Zip Lock Brand, they're stronger, I also wash and reuse them as long as no raw meat has been stored in them. When they're no longer good, I'll rinse, let them dry , then recycle them with the plastic bags I take back to the stores for recycling. When I refrigerated or freeze anything , most times I'll use the Square Rubbermaid Take Along Containers, the ones with the red lids, they seem to have a better seal, the square shape doesn't waste space and they're easier when stacking. I'm so excited to try that idea about lettuce, WOW!!!! That sure will be Great, going to let my family know too. Everyone Stay Safe, Stay Well and GOD BLESS !!
Yes, this works with any greens as well as celery. No salad spinner needed, just make sure after you wash the greens that they drain enough in colander. This works perfect for whole leaves that have not been cut up. Once the leaves are cut they are no longer "living" and will break down faster, although you will get some longevity using this method, but for maximum longevity keep them whole until you are ready to use them. I hope this helps. - Dan
Great Tip. I've been trying to squeeze the air out of ziplock bags, for decades. Didn't think to use a straw to suck out the air. Thanks!
Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing. Be well.
I washed the lettuce and put in resealable bag, that's it. Its been a wk and still fresh. ❤️❤️❤️ God bless.
Thanks for sharing. Your video was short, sweet, effective, and to the point. All the other videos I have watched show cutting the lettuce before storing, yours was the only one that showed not cutting it, therefore it lasting a lot longer. I will be using this method. Thanks again and be blessed! :)
Thank you, back at you with the blessing!
It works. I squeeze the bag when it's full and then seal the last 1/2 inch before air can get back in. It will last quite a while. Now make bananas last Dan
That's one that I'm asked a lot. I will put a video together on that subject very soon Sam!
wow! I don't live there but this is a great tip. Thank you Dan, you're the man.
Another hack from the produce clerk at my local grocer was to cut a little off the bottom every other day. Been doing this a couple of years and now never toss lettuce away. Will run the lettuce under water as well.
hey Dan I love your content, I just found you out today, and I love your enthusiasm for lettuce and vegetable products, and I made a video using my favourite Dan voice clips from this video, it's really bad but I will be watching more of your content, thank you for your continued years of wisdom.
I LOVE DAN, the PRODUCE MAN. Very cool.
We have a 1 eyed guinea pig, and he eats a LOT of lettuce, but he's also a picky little SOB. If the lettuce isn't fresh, he won't touch it. We spend a small fortune on lettuce (leaf, romaine, butter, hydroponic), so I was looking for a way to avoid the supermarket, just for the guinea pig, three or four times a week. I have to say that the best way I've found so far is a modification of this: I do everything he suggests, except I store the lettuce in a tall square plastic container, with one bamboo (or paper) towel each at the top and bottom of the container, and the lettuce, spun dry, between them. I don't keep it a long time; I just have to keep it SUPER fresh, and this works. I can't verify for how long, or if it'll work with spring mix (which I've found notoriously short-lived), but FWIW, it does keep lettuce leaves PERFECTLY FRESH for at least 4 days.
It's always a bit painful to throw away so many vegitables. I've started chopping most frest produce up and freezing it, but that doesn't work well with things like spinach and lettuce. So thanks for this solution!
Thank god for your video because I've thown away enough lettuce to feed a small country
No kidding
Sealing a bag with a straw was a great idea 👍🏿
I've got to try this. My sandwiches need crisp fresh lettuce, not soggy. Thank you.
I've been doing that for years. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! I have pitched out far more lettuce than we’ve ever eaten. Wonderful advice, Dan!
You are so welcome and thank you for watching!
Watching this at the beginning of the apocalypse. I hope we survive.
Apocalypse....Hahaha 😂🤣
Hope you are doing well a month in to the apocalypse.
Brenda Meredith As the large companies is killing ALL its animals because they can’t sell them, are you still laughing? Hope you got your TP.
Terrific. Thanks. Got more tips?
Good tip. I was tired of throwing my lettuce and spinach away. Thanks
Thank you for watching Dorcas!
I tried this with cookies but I ate the cookies as I was separating them.
Ty Cox 😄lol
🤦🏾♀️
Lol...
Something to be said for low carb diets. And no, it's not low carb because you ate them! ;)
👍Thanks, Dan! I’ll remember you always!!🙏
WOW So Much FRESH PRODUCE As IF IN VEGE HEAVEN n such great tips THANKS DAN
After watching, I live in Ireland and would love to call into Dan's Store lol Unfortunately I can't but a fantastic video well done 👍🏻
Brian Monteith me too but it’s a bit far....😂🙏🏼
Great voice and delivery!!
Thank you this is real life education at its best
Thank you John for watching!
Oh my gosh...9 years latter.....thks so much for the advice, from all the comments I know it works Dan. question: will this work for parsley, cilantro and celery??? Can you mention all the uses you’ve given this method? Thks. again.
Thank you for watching Monica, yes, it will work for all leaf items, of course, some leaf items are more delicate than others and the length of time will vary, but yes it does work for them.
Your tutorial is excellent; and I am forwarding to my whole family. I use only name brand plastic storage bags.
The man is a genius
I remove 2-3 layers first (I sometimes use the second and third layer, depending on how soiled the Lettuce is). I then wrap the Lettuce in the ClingWrap, without washing. I store it in the fridge just like that, clean ball. I take it out, take 2-3 layers as needed, then wrap back again in the same ClingWrap piece. It lasts for 2-3 weeks easily.
Great tip, but I thought plastic straws were banned in CA.
I do this, but also let the lettuce air dry and dehydrate a bit. Looks a little wilted but comes to life quickly when in a moist salad..seems to help.
I find that not washing it(wash as needed)& storing it in a glass tight fitted jar preserves longer life of lettuce,it discovered that for myself!!!! IT WORKS!!!!
Sounds like a good method!
Hey Dan,I gotta tell ya,I learned that from a little old Italian lady back in 1990!
Some of the best tips that have come to me were from customers over the years. Some of the best recipes too. Somewhere I have a box of handwritten recipes from the 70s & 80s customers that have long since passed. I'll have to look for it and share some of them.
such a pretty market thankyou dan from fl
Nice! Learn something new each day!
QUESTION,
So you're not wrapping the lettuce in paper towels?
Great idea. I went to high school in Alameda, great little town.
Thank you I'm trying to keep my shredded lettuce fresh due to money shortages and I use the lettuce in my burrito so this will definitely help thanks 😁
With the right man, most women are. :)
@@farshimelt ?
@@janesookraj4626 Use fucking as a verb, not an adjective.
loved that straw tip
no need to wrap them in paper towel? i stumbled upon your video coz i recently started doing low carb / low calorie so i wanted to know best ways to preserve my greens. i will give this a try.
No need gor a paper towel if you let the lettuce/greens thoroughly air dry. However it will absorb excess moisture, so it's whatever you're most comfortable with. Best wishes on Keto success!
In an effort to eliminate as much plastic from my home and from the landfills/ocean, I decided to use glass containers to store my veggies, including lettuce. I just started, so don't know how long they will last, and actually, we'll use it within a week, so I may never know about lettuce, but I don't always use the kale, spinach, cucumbers, or tomatoes within a week. Do you, Dan, or anyone else, have thoughts on using glass containers with "airtight" lids for storing these veggies, and/or fruits?
Hello! from Rowland Height's, CA.
Hello Anthony! Thanks for watching!
legend has it the lettuce is still fresh 5 years later.
Thank you so much for sharing all that AWESOME INFORMATION
Thank you for watching Cindy!
Hey Dan, could I keep things like corrianda and other herbs fresh this way too, great idea.
Thank you Dan! Stay healthy!
This works for heartier lettuce, but iceberg is different. I prep my lettuce, but also add and change out plain white paper towels to absorb any excess moisture, and poke air holes in the bags
sounds goo momo!
Saved my life... Million dollar vid..
WOW I AM GOING TO TRY THIS, ALSO I LIVE NEAR ALAMEDA I WILL CHECK TO SEE IF HIS SHOP IS STILL THERE!!!!!!!
Thanks !!!!!! FINALLY !!!!!!!!!!! , PLAIN AND SIMPLE IN 2 MINUTES OR LESS. NOW MY FIRST GARDEN LETTUCE CAN BE SAVED !!! LOVE YOU DAN 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙌🍻😇👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
definitely going to try this, thanks Dan.
I have not wasted one piece of fruit or vegetable. Just started making smoothies out of them!
Hey Dan, great video. I was wondering if it would still work effectively, if I waited to wash the leaves until I’m ready to use them? Thx
That'll work Peggy, I would use a clean bag for any leftovers though.
Peggy Ayres - I thought Dan tore off about 4-5 leaves and washed ONLY THOSE, and drained them. The rest of the head was not washed or wrapped before placed in freezer Ziplock 1-gallon bag. Air was squeezed or rolled out, then sucked out. The inside leaves don’t need washing bc they’re never exposed to dirty air.
@@jeannedinovo5543 .....I think he didn't wash all the lettuce because of how much time it would take while doing the video, normally, you would separate and wash the whole thing like he did with the few leaves.
Thank you for sharing, Sir! 👍🥬
I have been doing this for 20 years , but I also wrap in kitchen paper . It keeps for weeks do the same for cauliflower , spinach beens, carrots ect.
Do you know how the thunder sounds in produce aisles work? Do they use a CD with the thunder sound recording on it?
Good question Arizona Elevators, I would imagine it is a digital recording on a timer, but I will ask my friend who is the produce director for a large supermarket chain and get back to you on that.
I do know that the misting systems that were installed back in the 1980s would just start spraying without notice and customers were getting wet. In a store that I worked at back then, a lady complained because she just came from the hairdresser and it messed up her hairdo as she was picking out some carrots. The warning audio came into play as a result of many similar incidents.
Thanks Dan!
You're a prince !👍🏻😉
Nice. Maybe you can tell me how to keep lettuce freshly picked fresh .I know the farms spray something on them . by the next day at market I just want to trash my lettuce. Thanks Angie with Mauki Sun Farm STL
After you pick your lettuce place it in a jar or depending on how much you've harvested in a tub of water with the cut or root side in the water. Think of it like cut flowers in a vase, the cut side absorbs the water because the plant is still alive. Lettuce or any greens work the same way. Place that in the refrigerator and it should last longer. Let me know how it turns out for you: danthefreshproduceman@gmail.com
@@DantheProduceMan Thank you I will try this this season ,
Does this work for pre-washed salad? It goes super fast. I put mine in a plastic box specifically made for keeping a head of lettuce fresh but it didn’t seem to work for prepackaged salad. It was mushy in a day or two. I’m single so I buy two small bags but I can’t finish it quickly enough. Thanks.
Pre-washed/packaged salads whether organic or conventional are packaged in bags with special technology that allows the product to breathe. Thousands of micro-holes allows the gases produced by the product out and air to come in. With this technology your packaged salads should last a good week in your refrigerator. If you are buying baby mixed greens, such as spring mix, baby romaine or any of the baby mixes the leaves are very tender and bruise easily, when this happens they break down quickly. The other factor may be time out of refrigeration. Once that package is removed from the store's refrigerated shelves and placed in your cart the "cold chain" is broken. The amount of time it takes to continue shopping and the trip home before it gets into the refrigerator could very well be the problem. If it's longer than 45 minutes then your salad will have very minimal life.
I have never been a fan of packaged salads, I just can't wrap my head around eating greens that are rinsed with bleach even if it is a mild amount. My suggestion is to buy full heads of whatever variety organic lettuce that you enjoy and cut it up yourself, it takes very little time and you won't keep losing product and money. I hope this helps you MyQueenFreddyMercury! If you have any more questions feel free to email me at danthefreshproduceman@gmail.com
Dan the Produce Man
Thanks!
Thanks Dan 😎👍
Amazing!!!!
I wonder if this will work wellwith baby lettuces. He did say it may not last longer, but I guess ill have to try this lil trick!
Thankyou! Very helpful - I will be doing this from now on.
Will this method work for microgreens like pea sprouts? Thank you 😊
It certainly will John. Thanks for watching!
Hi, thanks for the great video, can I prepare a salad (greens, squash,etc)and use the same procedure?? Or it would have to be separated?
Same method herno1, it also works with spinach and other leafy greens.
herno1 - for cut vegetables that are softer and wetter, I suggest the paper tower-lined plastic bowl method. Just sayin... also much easier to grab a few handfuls and just seal the plastic lid back onto the bowl... after burping it!
Great tip, thank you from lockdown London, UK. Would you know how to keep bagged or mixed lettuce leaves fresh which have been pre washed? Currently, I’m wrapping them in kitchen paper and putting them back in the plastic bag they came in. I use this method for punnets of strawberries,bunches of grapes , blueberries and loose veg like carrots etc and even sliced bread, which I keep in the fridge and it works well on all of them except the lettuce leaves!
I have no idea , but I enjoyed reading your query. I hope someone has an answer for you.
Question... I see "bah-nah-nahs" on my dear(Hyacinth!) Brit-com re-runs...how expensive would they have to be in England in December?🤗
Stay safe,warm ,dry and blessed.
❤️from 🇺🇸 to 🇬🇧.
@ jude james Hi there,
Thank you for your reply, but due to our two great nations being divided by a common language, I don’t quite understand your question! In reply, I have several questions:
1. Who or what is Hyacinth?
2. Why has she/it got bananas 🍌 all over her/it?
3. Why would the price of bananas vary in December in England?
Hope you are enjoying the Brit-com re-runs, I’ve spent this morning watching The Vietnam War on PBS America and am consequently going to have to have some tea and cake to cheer myself up enough to take my dog out. As I’m writing this, I can hear 2 Police Officers on horseback going past from the local Police 👮♀️ Station, it is very quiet with everyone in lockdown, which is a positive in all of this.
Keep smiling and stay safe too
❤️from 🏴 to 🇺🇸
Will this work on spinach as well?
It certainly will, it may not last as long as the lettuce, but it will work
Thank you !!! I love this idea . I love lettuce and I waste often ~~~
Thank you for watching La Vita!
Have you tried vacuum sealing cucumbers or tomatoes? If so how do they last in the refrigerator?
Hi Stephanie, I have cut cucumbers into slices at times and used the same method. The longevity is only a few days due to their high water content so I rarely do it. I never refrigerate tomatoes. Because tomatoes are a sub-tropical fruit chilling them kills the enzymes that give them their flavor, I always use the whole tomato in my salad. I hope this helps, feel free to email me at danthefreshproduceman@gmail.com
On my way to the grocery store now. Thanks mate.
Put in which compartment of the fridge? The vegetables section or the normal section ?
I learn a lot of things working in produce. I am going to train for produce manager.
I bet you'll make a top notch produce manger Yesit'sJess!
Hey Dan, thanks for this wonderful video.
Could u plz lemme know that do we need to cut the iceberg lettuce too in parts n then store. Plz reply..
Rupali K The shelf life of the lettuce is better off when it is torn from the stem rather than cut into pieces. However cut pieces will last up to a week or so if you use the method in my video
.
@@DantheProduceMan That's not what he's asking. Iceberg is a big round ball. Do you disassemble it, wash it and lay it flat? I know he said cut but he didn't mean that as 'too' was included. Some people from other countries haven't completely mastered the English language but I give them much credit as I can only speak one language.