How to Freshen Wilted, Rubbery Celery Stalks

Lots of times, expired produce should just be written off as a lost cause. But celery is one of the more resilient vegetables and it can be reinvigorated quite easily if you catch it early enough. Just follow these steps to see if you can bring the celery stalks back to life.

Things You'll Need

• Wilted celery stalks
• Large bowl or container
• Ice
• Water
• Zip-top bags
• Refrigerator

Instructions

1. Prepare an icy bath for your celery by filling a large bowl or other container with ice water.

2. When the water is very cold, add and submerge your wilted celery. Keep it in the bath for at least five minutes.

3. Remove the celery, shake off the excess water and put it in one or more zip-top plastic bags.

4. Close the bags most of the way, leaving just a small gap in the corner. Use your mouth to suck out as much air as possible from the bags and seal them quickly. Put these bags into your refrigerator's vegetable crisper.

5. After about three full days, check the crispness of your celery. Most stalks will firm up and be almost good as new after this process.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a kitchen vacuum sealer, use it instead of zip-top plastic bags. Storing the celery with as little oxygen as possible is key to crisping it up.