After climbing to as high as $2/lb., iceberg lettuce is down to 47 cents/lb.
After climbing to as high as $2/lb., iceberg lettuce is down to 47 cents/lb.
Choose crisp, blemish-free lettuce. Wash the head, then remove excess moisture by either draining it completely or blotting it with a paper
towel. A salad spinner, which uses centrifugal force to remove water from salad greens, is a time saver in this process. Don't soak lettuce since water tends to soften the leaves. Washed and dried greens may be refrigerated in an airtight plastic bag for three to five days.
Lettuce is low in calories. The darker the leaves, the more nutrients are present - namely calcium, iron and vitamins A and C.
Iceberg is a perennial isle favorite as a foundation for salads, such as Cobb salad. The original Cobb salad came from Hollywood's Brown Derby Restaurant. Chopped lettuce was topped with diced tomatoes, avocados, turkey, bacon, hard-boiled eggs and bleu cheese.
Modern variations to a Cobb might include boneless chicken breast, soft fresh goat cheese, fresh basil leaves and balsamic vinegar in the dressing.
Other salad makings in the produce best buy column include fresh spinach for $1.28 a bunch at Daiei and $1.39 at Safeway, Island Fresh cucumbers for 69 cents a pound at IGA Stores, and broccoli for 79 cents a pound at Safeway.