Will someone please unravel for me this mystery

[soybean]

Home alone today so I decided to chop up a lettuce salad with spinach, onions, green peppers, cuckes, tomatoes, etc. I'm old fashioned so I buy head lettuce as I don't care much for the bagged stuff. Anyway, I've struggled now for 72 years with the tiny knot that ties the plastic wrapping the head. Once every other decade or so I can unravel that knot, but mostly I just give up and use a knife to cut it open. Why do they wrap it that way, and what is the trick to unsnarling the damn thing?

 

[SF HAWKEYE]

I’m with you on this. It’s the worst. I think they have to make it really tight so the barcode stays fully visible is the only thing I’ve ever come up with.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Home alone today so I decided to chop up a lettuce salad with spinach, onions, green peppers, cuckes, tomatoes, etc. I'm old fashioned so I buy head lettuce as I don't care much for the bagged stuff. Anyway, I've struggled now for 72 years with the tiny knot that ties the plastic wrapping the head. Once every other decade or so I can unravel that knot, but mostly I just give up and use a knife to cut it open. Why do they wrap it that way, and what is the trick to unsnarling the damn thing?

I think you should load it with napalm and send it back to producer

 

[soybean]

I think you should load it with napalm and send it back to producer

Why would I jelly California?

 

[HawCory]

I have never considered the packaging for lettuce to be re-sealable/reusable, so always open it with a knife, rinse lettuce, use what I need, and put the leftovers in a Ziploc.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Why would I jelly California?

True. Save that for Florida

 

[SoDakHawk]

I have never considered the packaging for lettuce to be re-sealable/reusable, so always open it with a knife, rinse lettuce, use what I need, and put the leftovers in a Ziploc.

This.

 

[soybean]

I have never considered the packaging for lettuce to be re-sealable/reusable, so always open it with a knife, rinse lettuce, use what I need, and put the leftovers in a Ziploc.

So, twice the plastic?

 

[SoDakHawk]

So, twice the plastic?

If you cut it just right you can reuse the original wrapper. Just tape it shut with freezer tape.

 

[EasyHawk]

I have never tried to untie it or use a knife. I just tear it open. It isn't very thick plastic.

 

[HawCory]

So, twice the plastic?

Unfortunately. Option B would be to use the whole head.

 

[IowaPackFan]

Like others, I just cut it off carefully then tape it back on for next time.

 

[soybean]

Unfortunately. Option B would be to use the whole head.

Or, just put the remainder back into the original wrapping and refrigerate.

 

[HawCory]

Or, just put the remainder back into the original wrapping and refrigerate.

 

[mthawkeyes]

Get one of these and you avoid having to use a Ziploc (extra plastic waste) for each head of lettuce.

 

[JustSayOV]

Get one of these and you avoid having to use a Ziploc (extra plastic waste) for each head of lettuce.

That's pretty much what we do, except it just an old Tupperware. I always line the bottom with a few squares of paper towel to absorb the water after rinsing it off.

***I also find it satisfying with a new head of lettuce, when you smash the core against the sink and the core just comes out in a neat little cone

 

[goldmom]

True. Save that for Florida

Icebergs don’t do well in our climate dude.
My Mom used to open them and wrap the unused portions of them in a damp dish towel before she put it in the crisper in the frig. That shrinky stuff is just awful.

 

[soybean]

Get one of these and you avoid having to use a Ziploc (extra plastic waste) for each head of lettuce.

Just another doodad I don't need.

 

[Bonerfarts]

Get one of these and you avoid having to use a Ziploc (extra plastic waste) for each head of lettuce.

Box should just say "Bowl w/ lid".

 

[fredjr82]

The problem is there is usually tape holding the knot in place. When trying to remove, normally rips the plastic

 

[joelbc1]

Why would I jelly California?

Could be the perfect crime…they’d be looking for a crazy Iowa pig farmer!

 

[bagdropper]

The problem is there is usually tape holding the knot in place. When trying to remove, normally rips the plastic

This.

It is possible to sort of get a finger between the twist and tape and pull up the tape where sometimes the tape comes off without tearing the plastic. Then untwist and remove.

The reason I try is even though the plastic isn't reused, it is a bit easier to keep the head of lettuce intact if you can open without tearing the plastic. Just sort of "inside it out". Tear the plastic, good chance you're going to take the outside leaves off with it.

Yeah, obsessive, I know. But I eat a lot of lettuce, so I get a lot of practice. Doesn't work all the time, but I'm batting above .500.

 

[Joes Place]

Home alone today so I decided to chop up a lettuce salad with spinach, onions, green peppers, cuckes, tomatoes, etc. I'm old fashioned so I buy head lettuce as I don't care much for the bagged stuff. Anyway, I've struggled now for 72 years with the tiny knot that ties the plastic wrapping the head. Once every other decade or so I can unravel that knot, but mostly I just give up and use a knife to cut it open. Why do they wrap it that way, and what is the trick to unsnarling the damn thing?

Home alone....and Mom left the knives out for you to get into???

Tsk....tsk....tsk. Dodged a bullet here...

 

[Chewback]

Why would I jelly California?

Why not?

 

[IamHawkeye]

Home alone today so I decided to chop up a lettuce salad with spinach, onions, green peppers, cuckes, tomatoes, etc. I'm old fashioned so I buy head lettuce as I don't care much for the bagged stuff. Anyway, I've struggled now for 72 years with the tiny knot that ties the plastic wrapping the head. Once every other decade or so I can unravel that knot, but mostly I just give up and use a knife to cut it open. Why do they wrap it that way, and what is the trick to unsnarling the damn thing?

Sounds like a good salad, except for the cuckes. ????? What dressing do you prefer?

 

[The Tradition]

This.

This X2.

 

[ihawk in FWB]

Home alone today so I decided to chop up a lettuce salad with spinach, onions, green peppers, cuckes, tomatoes, etc. I'm old fashioned so I buy head lettuce as I don't care much for the bagged stuff. Anyway, I've struggled now for 72 years with the tiny knot that ties the plastic wrapping the head. Once every other decade or so I can unravel that knot, but mostly I just give up and use a knife to cut it open. Why do they wrap it that way, and what is the trick to unsnarling the damn thing?

Sorry, no real input to the subject. Good luck.

 

[THE_DEVIL]

Option B would be to use the whole head.

 

[hawksurprize]

Home alone today so I decided to chop up a lettuce salad with spinach, onions, green peppers, cuckes, tomatoes, etc. I'm old fashioned so I buy head lettuce as I don't care much for the bagged stuff. Anyway, I've struggled now for 72 years with the tiny knot that ties the plastic wrapping the head. Once every other decade or so I can unravel that knot, but mostly I just give up and use a knife to cut it open. Why do they wrap it that way, and what is the trick to unsnarling the damn thing?

Not what I would do home alone,but to each his own.

 

[Hendy hawk]

Home alone today so I decided to chop up a lettuce salad with spinach, onions, green peppers, cuckes, tomatoes, etc. I'm old fashioned so I buy head lettuce as I don't care much for the bagged stuff. Anyway, I've struggled now for 72 years with the tiny knot that ties the plastic wrapping the head. Once every other decade or so I can unravel that knot, but mostly I just give up and use a knife to cut it open. Why do they wrap it that way, and what is the trick to unsnarling the damn thing?

To keep the air out so it lasts longer.
Doesn't take lettuce long to go bad if air gets to it. Even in the fridge.

 

[Hendy hawk]

Icebergs don’t do well in our climate dude.
My Mom used to open them and wrap the unused portions of them in a damp dish towel before she put it in the crisper in the frig. That shrinky stuff is just awful.

I usually put a paper towel in the ziplock to help take up moisture so it lasts longer.

 

[SoDakHawk]

Only on HORT would there be 31 replies on this dilemma. Gotta love this place.

 

[The Tradition]

I usually put a paper towel in the ziplock to help take up moisture so it lasts longer.

This.