Thursday, February 10, 2011

How Are Frozen Veggies like Count Dracula? They Both Suck.

Okay. Maybe I'm overstating my case. Let me backtrack.

I love frozen vegetables.

Really. I do.

I've been recommending them as a viable (and sometimes better) alternative to the fresh vegetables in the produce section, especially if the fresh veggies in the market are under-ripe or way past their prime. In that case, frozen veggies, because they are picked and frozen right after harvesting, may provide better flavor and nutrients than some of the items you find in the produce section. Of course I realize that some frozen veggies don't translate well in the "crispness" department (think broccoli, squash, carrots), but if you're looking for healthy vegetables without added salt or preservatives, frozen is the way to go. Besides, they can be uber-affordable if you buy them when your supermarket offers a buy-one-get-one-free special.

Segue: Check this out. In our local supermarket the lights in the frozen food display cases don't turn on until someone approaches them. Is that cool or what? I know they do it to save electricity, but for those of us without television it's truly a fun night out. I remember how my kids would jump all over, begging me to take them to the grocery store so they could run up and down the aisle and play with the lights. It was a lot like playing gooney golf except there were no golf clubs, large dinosaurs, or that Asian guy behind the register watching cable TV from Beijing. Not to mention I saved six bucks per kid...

Now where was I? Oh yeah. So why do I say frozen veggies suck?

Here's why.

I recently realized that my local supermarket's frozen food section has been going through a metamorphosis. At one time the freezer shelves were filled with bags and bags of 16-ounce frozen veggies from a half-dozen different producers: Birds Eye, Green Giant, PictSweet, McKenzies, the store brand, etc. But lately I've noticed that these same shelves of plain veggies are being crowded out by newer offerings: 12-ounce bags with all matter of sauces and spices added. Oh, and then there's the newest kid on the block: 12-ounce steam-fresh veggies. Here's how one national brand describes them:

"...a specially designed bag and advanced steaming technology, Steamfresh® is a revolutionary way to prepare perfectly cooked vegetables, rice and pasta blends right in your microwave."

My question? I had no trouble perfectly cooking the old version of frozen vegetables by nuking them in the microwave or steaming them on the stove, so why create something new? Could it be that these companies want to charge us more money for less product? Hmmm. What's so revolutionary about that? (Remember when canned tomatoes were 16 ounces or when ice cream came in half-gallon containers?)

So, I guess I'll head down to the grocery store and stock up on a few cases of the pre-revolutionary frozen vegetables. You may want to do the same.

Then one day we can let our grandkids crawl up on our knees while we pine about the olden days, when 16-ounce bags of frozen vegetables were exactly just that: frozen vegetables. This is one time when I will not join the masses out on street to chant "Vive la revolution!"

I'll see you in the frozen food aisle.

Bon appetit!

Warren

27 comments:

  1. The kid in me still wants to run down the frozen food aisle at my local Kroger and watch the aisle light up. Such fun. I stick to the $0.88 bags of plain ol' frozen veggies. A noncomformist in the ranks. I can whip up a mean cheese sauce without nuking it in the microwave and seeing burnt cheese on the inside of a bag. So unappealing. Also just wanted to invite you to participate in the Culinary Smackdown Battle I am hosting on my blog. If you are interested check it out and link up a recipe. Frozen veggies or not I'm sure whatever you come up with would be a winner! http://imapretendchef.blogspot.com/2011/01/culinary-smackdown-battle-hand-held.html

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  2. I love organic frozen veggies as an option to the super expensive fresh or veggies that are out of season. I don't buy any of those steamer bags, so silly. And the frozen veggies in sauce gross me out!

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  3. @Pretend Chef. You know, Rochelle, I don't think we're the only adults who like to dash up and down the frozen food aisles, I saw a three just this past week - and one of them was in those electric carts the market loans out. lol.

    Thanks for the Smackdown invite. I'm going to check it out today!

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  4. @Every Little Thing. Yes, Stacy! And I love the fact that more and more stores are carrying organic frozen veggies (Costco has offered them since I can remember). And it's so easy to make a basic bechamel, one could make any number of sauces based on it. So I'm with you, why settle for a pre-made sauce that you know is going to contain preservatives and loads of salt?

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  5. Never been in a grocery store that had that! Am I deprived or what? What I do get tired of is hearing the thunder and rain in the produce dept. in Kroger. ;o

    I'm good with most plain frozen veggies in the traditional bags but for some reason canned corn tastes better than frozen -- except for the little frozen ears. Wonder why that is?

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  6. @Jill. Believe me, the on again/off again freezer lights are quite the entertainment value :-). (PS. I hate the thunder & rain, too. Hmmm. Maybe a future blog post lurking in that, lol).

    I haven't eaten canned corn in ages. I will have to go back and revisit it. I'll let you know what I think. Take care!

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  7. I've never been to one of those grocery stores,where the frozen section lights up.I for one do not want any sauce on my frozen vege's its simple enough that their frozen,no one is too busy to season their food.

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  8. @Alana. Never seen the lights? I guess they haven't made their debut in Chi-town, yet. LOL.

    And yes, I fully agree with you in regard to your view on veggies. But then again, I wouldn't expect less from Chicago's newest (and coolest) caterers. :-)

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  9. I just remember how horrible my mother's "prepared" frozen veggies use to taste when I was young. I have sworn them off ever since. Maybe I'll give them a try, I absolutely agree about the nutrition value vs. produce on the shelf. Our area is very much a part of the organic, natural foods "revolution", I guess you could call it. So its nice that we have access to farmers markets and alot of Co-op's and natural food stores up here in Nor Cal. Thanks for the read Warren, its always a pleasure.
    *Kelly @ somethingdifferentfordinner.blogspot.com

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  10. Sounds fun a frozen section lighting up! Great read!
    There's nothing like a bag of old-fashioned frozen peas chucked in a pan for the quickest healthy soup when stuck in the snow or stuck for time. You make me smile, Warren. Will look out for the latest frozen peas special soup version organic easy cooking next time!

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  11. I think there are frozen veggies that are pretty great, like peas for example. I'm not going to wait to find fresh peas and spend the time shelling them at the peak of freshness when I can just as easily use frozen peas. There are other things like asparagus however which should never ever be frozen!

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  12. Wow, I don't have the lights either. Doesn't surprise me, since I live in such a rural area. I, too, am disappointed in the newer trends on frozen veggies. I rely on them during the winter months, when the vegetables are looking pretty sad. But, I must admit, I use them for a shortcut as well (shame, shame). I like to have frozen peas and frozen baby onions that I can add to whatever I'm cooking. And, yes, I agree, canned corn is better than frozen.

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  13. @Kelly. Thanks for stopping by! It's awesome that you have so many choices in your neck of the woods. We have a nice Saturday market here in St. Augie that I frequent for fresh, locally grown produce. Sure, the peppers aren't as pristine looking as the ones in the grocery store, but I'm gonna chop 'em up anyway! :-)

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  14. @Jill Colonna and Sylvie. Frozen peas are absolutely fantastic time savers and they taste great, too. I always have an open bag in the freezer so I can toss some peas into soups, stews, rice, etc.

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  15. @Twisted Kitchen. Hey - there's no shame in using frozen veggies when one is short on time (heck, I'm usually short on time so I use them often - lol). And as Jill and Sylvie mentioned above, frozen peas are often better (and much quicker) than buy fresh and shelling them. Same with pearl onions. Like you, I keep 'em on hand to toss into soups and stews.

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  16. @Lin Ann. So the big question is: What frozen veggie are you going to serve with that delightful Steak Diane? LOL

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  17. Warren, I'll have to agree with Jill and Sylvie. Frozen peas are great to have on hand. The only reason I'll make a detour to the frozen section is for the frozen peas and corn. They are great ingredients for those last minute cold weather meals. I use them in chicken pot pie or shepherd's pie, the perfect winter comfort food.

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  18. @Anna C. Absolutely! I even use the mixed-veggies in pot pies and shepherd's pie (which I just made 3 days ago and turned out fab). BTW, I know broccoli, cauliflower and (yes, Sylvie!) asparagus do not translate well frozen because they lose their crispness, but if I'm making a cream soup then I have no qualms about reaching for these babies because you really don't need them to be crisp. Which explains why I have such a cornucopia of frozen vegetables in my freezer. :-)

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  19. Amazing post. I hadn't thought about this before, I just know that almost everything in a traditional grocery store is crap and placed on the shelves with million dollar strategic marketing.

    It's all about new, easy and convenient these days.

    Oh, and reduced fat, and low fat, and high in fiber. If I see these words, I avoid the product.

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  20. @Following My Feet. Yes, it's all about easy and convenient...but is it really? You and I both know it isn't. And like you, I avoid the catch-phrases. I look for the real thing - they don't need to brag. Carrots in a bag don't require lables proclaiming "REAL CARROTS!" lol.

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  21. Great and funny read- I was just lamenting the same things to my husband the other day. In the winter especially, I rely more on frozen veggies. In every area, we're paying more for less- subtle signs of inflation.

    We don't have the lights you describe in the freezer section- maybe my kids would enjoy the grocery store excursions more if we did.

    I'm enjoying your blog.

    Sarah@ homestyleworldcook.com

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  22. @Sarahworldcook. I appreciate the kind words, Sarah. Yes, I feel like I'm paying more for less every year (I just looked at my canned tuna fish, it's down to 5-oz!)As for the lights? Perhaps you should start a petition, LOL. Anyway, thanks for stopping by. I try to post weekly so feel free to drop in and contribute often.

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  23. I really really hate those sound effects because I'm usually headfirst digging for something like carrots or cabbage and the thunder kicks in and scares me. My daughter ALWAYS asks if I am o.k. and tries to hide her smile. It's hard to hide her shaking shoulders because for some reason it's funny. FYI she never gets startled at this mock rainforest. I like your ideas about the meat department and the bakery it would add such an ambiance to the whole euphoric shopping experience!

    Dionne

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  24. The only frozen veggie I bought is frozen peas. I actually find them pretty good.

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