How to Check Leafy Vegetables for Bugs
In Jewish law, the prohibition against eating bugs is quite stringent, so before you prepare vegetables, you must always check for bugs. Leafy vegetables, with their crevices and curled ends, provide a significant challenge for those who want to maintain a bug-free, kosher kitchen. With proper checking, leafy vegetables can be eaten in full confidence that they are kosher and free of insects.
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Instructions
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Cut off lettuce at the base and separate the leaves. With spinach, you will want to separate the small leaves from the stems.
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Soak the leaves in water and vegetable wash, following instructions on how much of the wash to use. You may also use a drop of dish soap, if needed.
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Move the leaves around in the water, making sure all parts of the leaves are exposed to the water and vegetable wash.
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Rinse each leaf carefully, making sure to reach the crevices and folds. This should be done under running water to remove any trace of dirt, soap or insects.
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Check the lettuce in the light to make sure there are no stray bugs, dust or soap bubbles. If you do not see any insects, your leafy vegetables are kosher and ready to use.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a leaf spinner for washing and a light box for checking if you run a kosher establishment. This equipment is not found in most homes but should be used if you have to check a large quantity of leafy vegetables.
Repeat this procedure if you find bugs even after washing. If there are still bugs, do not use the leafy vegetables.
Avoid using curled parsley, since it is almost impossible to check the leaves. Flat parsley can be substituted in most recipes that call for parsley.
Do not take for granted that lettuce with a kosher symbol is insect-free; you will want to check for bugs.
