Greens
Did you know that...
Lettuce does not make you sleepy. Despite last year’s TikTok trend, no studies have proven that it makes you sleepy. There have been some studies showing an association between lettuce seed and its extracts and reduced insomnia symptoms. What has been proven is that leafy greens are one of the most commonly wasted food items in Australia. Learn tips on buying, storing, and cooking to avoid food waste.
Buy
- Best to purchase during spring and summer.
- Avoid buying bagged greens.
- Grow your own. Leafy greens are probably the easiest vegetable to grow in cities. Some of them tolerate shade.
Store
- Wrap in paper towels or tea towels and store in silicone bags or containers in the fridge.
- Keep them away from the coldest corners for up to 1 week.
Cook
Soy pickled lettuce
Makes up to 1 jar
Perfect for limp forgotten lettuce, especially when you’re tired of salad. Ultimate waste warriors Cornersmith created this genius lettuce pickle.
Steps
Step 1: Put 4 cups of chopped lettuce (cos and iceberg work the best) into a bowl and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and let sit for 10 minutes or so.
Step 2: In a jug, mix 1/3 cup of soy and 1 tablespoon of rice wine or apple cider vinegar, two teaspoons of grated ginger and a pinch of chilli flakes and mix well.
Step 3: Squeeze out the moisture from the lettuce over the sink. You can be quite rough with it!
Step 4: Add lettuce to a jar or container and cover with the soy/vinegar mixture, pressing down the lettuce to ensure it is completely covered in liquid.
Your soy pickled lettuce will be ready within 15 minutes but will be even better in a few days' time. Close lid if storing. Serve it with the Korean-inspired scrap potato rosti.
Storage
Store in the fridge for up to a month or more.
Zero waste tip
Limp lettuce can also be stir-fried with some soy sauce and ginger to breathe life back into it. Serve alongside rice and a protein.
Reference
Recipe by Waste Free recipes from Cornersmith (PDF 202.6KB)