Frozen Vegetables
By spiderman05
@spiderman05 (851)
Canada
June 4, 2007 10:50am CST
I enjoy cooking a good meal and I also enjoy putting a lot of varied vegetables in my dishes. I try to choose vegetables of different colors, mainly flashy colors, like red, yellow and orange.
There are many stores that sell fresh vegetables near my house. Though, cutting vegetables is a time consuming task. Also, many vegetables I buy end up in the trash bin after spending 2 or 3 weeks in the fridge.
A few weeks ago, I decided to switch to frozen vegetables. There is a good selection of frozen vegetables at the store where I generally do my grocery: Californian mix, Italian mix, Mediterranean mix... I really find these frozen vegetables practical. They give me the variety I am looking for in my dishes. Besides, I can keep them in the freezer for as long as I want to, so and economically speaking, they end up costing muh lower than the fresh ones.
Do you use fresh vegetables or frozen ones? How do you cook your frozen vegetables? Which vegetables are healthier, the fresh ones or the frozen ones? What about taste, did you notice any difference in the taste of both sorts of vegetables?
7 people like this
16 responses
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
5 Jun 07
I also use frozen vegetables a lot because they are more practical than fresh vegetables and healthier than those in a can ... I think that frozen are as healthy as fresh ones
As far as taste is concerned, the frozen vegetables are really doign a good job, and they are way tastier than canned ones
My favorite way to cook vegetables is steamed ... it's the best way to keep all the vitamins because when you boil your vegetables about half of the vitamins are released in the water and usually we end up throwing the water way and thus those vitamins (NB: you can use that water to water your plants, it's a great, free fertilizer ;-) ... but let it cool first)
1 person likes this
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
5 Jun 07
yes if you use the water you got the vitamins so that's very good
what I love about steaming is that it really concentrate the vegtable's taste.
I don't had spices when I steam tem because I usually use some to prepare by baby's meals too so I would only add spices and maybe some butter too afterwards only ... but once they are cooked you can arange them the way you want ...
1 person likes this
@spiderman05 (851)
• Canada
5 Jun 07
I agree that frozen vegetables are better than canned ones, taste-wise. I never tried steaming vegetables. Very probably you add some spices to your steamed vegetables. I boil the vegetables, but I use the water to make a sauce, so i think that I am still getting all the vitamins. Thanks for the info, I did not know that vegetables loose their vitamins when boiled.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
5 Jun 07
I prefer fresh vegetables. If I have to use frozen, I want to make sure to use it as soon as possible.
Vegetables loose quality rapidly after harvesting. Harvest only an amount you can prepare to freeze within 2 or 3 hours. If this is not possible, refrigerate vegetables, then freeze as soon as possible.
Freezing slows enzyme activity but does not stop it. Frozen vegetables will become tough and lose flavor during storage unless enzyme activity is stopped by blanching before freezing.
If you buy frozen vegetables, make sure not to store it not longer than two weeks.
@spiderman05 (851)
• Canada
5 Jun 07
I did not know that frozen vegetables should be consumed within 2 weeks. I think that I keep some bags for 3 weeks to a month in my freezer. Anyways, the bags might have already spent several weeks already at the grocery store.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
5 Jun 07
...hmmm...they say, it can be ok for 6 months, but than you can loos all flavor...
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
5 Jun 07
I prefer fresh vegetables personally. I don't eat canned at all - except creamed corn. I only buy frozen peas and frozen corn. The rest I buy fresh. I can taste the difference...
1 person likes this
@spiderman05 (851)
• Canada
5 Jun 07
I don't really taste the difference, or at least the difference is not that important. Maybe because I put a lot of spices in my plates. I read in another discussion that this prevents from tasting other flavors.
@kiiizu (1901)
• Estonia
4 Jun 07
Yes, sometimes I'm using frozen vegetables too. My favourite mix is frozen cauliflower, broccoli and carrots but I'm using frozen cauliflower alone also, and frozen beans. But fresh ones are tasting better, of course, and are healthier too, I guess.
@spiderman05 (851)
• Canada
4 Jun 07
I like the mixes that include carrot, beans, corn and sweet peas. The color mix is interesting. Also, sweet beans provide a nice contrast with the the other hot ingredients I use, that is spices, onions...
@aweins (4199)
• India
23 Jun 07
I also enjoy cooking and enjoy putting a lot of varied vegetables. i just like you love to put vegetables of different colors , like red, yellow, green and ofcourse orange. i dont take much of frozen veggies. i prefer buying the fresh ones. i know that frozen ones are easy to store but we , here at my place, we dont have any problem regarding vegetables. we get fresh ones everyday. it is very rare that i buy frozen ones and then cook something great. my first priority will alwayz be the fresh ones but if i am having guests at my place, then i buy frozen ones and complete the task.
1 person likes this
@spiderman05 (851)
• Canada
24 Jun 07
I would have liked to stick with fresh vegetables. It is not a problem getting fresh vegetables here either. Though, cleaning them and cutting them takes time. I sometimes buy fresh vegetables when I want to cook a nice meal on a Saturday. It is more a matter of convenience. Thank you for your comment.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I'll let you know that I'm not afraid of any frozen veggie, and I'm not afraid to use them!!!
I like the veggie mixes, most of all. I usually add them to casseroles, mac and cheese (even the Kraft M&C), stir fries or just as a side dish. It boggles my mind that there are people that don't realize how easy having a vegetable with dinner can really be!
I like to use fresh veggies for things like salads. Boccoli is by far my favorite fresh veggie salad! Although frozen peas are the best in pea salad!
The only canned vegetables I use (I shudder) are green beans (when making green bean casserole) and creamed corn (scalloped corn.) The reason I choose these, are they are already cooked, so I dont need to bake my casseroles longer, and they are more tender than the frozen or fresh varieties.
1 person likes this
@spiderman05 (851)
• Canada
5 Jun 07
I used to buy canned sweet peas and chick peas. I stopped buying canned sweet beans as they are most of the time included in frozen vegetables mixes. I still buy canned chick peas as these take much longer to cook.
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I like beets from the can. They are nice and soft already. I mix them with some olive oil, vinegar and salt for a nice salad.
But man, can that beet juice stain!
1 person likes this
@icequeen (2840)
• Canada
4 Jun 07
I tend to use frozen vegetables more...because they are easier. I do however buy fresh on occassion and try to use it before it goes bad. I usually nuke my frozen veggies with a little water and some margarine. They turn out fine. I do however prefer fresh...but the way they lock in nutrients these days...I think frozen are good too.
@banta78 (4326)
• India
5 Jun 07
I use fresh vegetables be it carrot, peas, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, washed and cooked. I like hot spicy home cooked vegetables they taste good and when eaten with yoghurt and salad they are also very good for one's health. I know it is bit expensive with rising price of vegetables. And it takes time and effort but i feel it's worth it. I also like to eat different coloured vegetables too. Cheers:)
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
I use a lot of frozen vegetables except for carrots and potatoes, carrots I like to eat raw or use in juices, I have read that frozen as strange as it might seem are better for you as they are frozen fresh and it is so much easier to have in the freezer all the time so I like to believe them that it is ok to have this way.
1 person likes this
@bigpinkmomma (449)
• Canada
4 Jun 07
I do not have a garden so I tend to purchase frozen vegetables. Things like frozen corn and peas are just easier. I tend to try to buy fresh salad ingredients but they don't always last very long .
I cook my frozen vegetables in the microwave. I don't think there is a big difference in the nutrition of fresh and frozen vegetables. I would have to say that fresh vegetables in season sure taste a lot better. I am always delighted when I am given them in season by someone with a garden .
1 person likes this
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I use both, and while I think that fresh taste better, and might be a touch healthier since they haven't been frozen...I use frozen quite often.
I like that they last longer and I don't have to worry about using them up before they spoil. Also, you get get vegatables, and frozen fruits, for that matter, that might not be available fresh in that season.
What I like to do with frozen vegies is to defrost them before I use them....this way I can try to get rid of any iceor excess water with them. I find that if I don't do that frozen vegatables can add too much water to whatever I'm coooking....this is especially apparent if I am baking them into a cassarole or something.
1 person likes this
@spiderman05 (851)
• Canada
4 Jun 07
I never tried frozen fruits. I am not sure if we have any frozen fruits around here. I did not know that frozen vegies add water. I generally use then in soups and I do not mind if they add some water to the mix. Once or twice, I used them with fried eggs, but the result was not impressive.
@Cassy1976 (796)
• Australia
5 Jun 07
I use a variety of fresh, frozen and canned vegetables, I prefer the fresh ones but I dont always use them in time and they often go off, the main fresh ones that I use are potato and pumpkin and carrot, I always have a supply of those handy, then I use frozen peas and corn and if I am being really lazy I used the tinned variety. I also use frozen brocolli and cauliflower as my partner and i dont like them but our daughter does and we dont use enough to warrant buying the fresh stuff. I usually boil or steam my veggies. Of course I think that the taste of fresh veggies are best but sometimes it just isnt practical to have them
1 person likes this
@183318 (264)
• Malaysia
5 Jun 07
the taste by fresh 1 will look beter..
but if camping or in office the best way is frozen 1 becouse the fresh 1 will spoil easy...
most enjoy also with fresh type more healthy
also wont wory all the mineral on it will lost after put in frozen so long
1 person likes this
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
23 Jun 07
Eating vegetables is the key to healthy diet so eat more yea ....Well it seems like preparing a healthy meal for guys isn't that easy huh
@angel_marie5 (1259)
• United States
4 Jun 07
yes, frozen vegetables are really convenient and makes great foods. . . the usual frozen packs in my fridge are mix peas, corn and carrots, than i got snap peas, brocolli, beans and other variety of stir-fried mix vegetables.
i enjoy cooking meatballs tomato soup for dinner with mixture of frozen peas,corn n carrots then just slice some parsleys then season with some pepper and salt then makes an awesome dinner with garlic toast.
1 person likes this
