Why smart cooks use frozen vegetables

We’re officially midwinter and I miss the produce bins at the grocery store during midsummer that overflow with fruits and vegetables at the peak of ripeness. Right now the produce section looks more like a compost pile than anything else. If I have to put one more anemic tomato in my grocery cart, I think I’ll scream.

I can’t just stop eating fruits and vegetables for the winter, so I’ve turned to frozen for the time being. But when it comes to fresh vs. frozen, are we giving up nutrition for convenience? As it turns out, maybe not (especially when it comes to “out of season” produce).

And frozen vegetables can be the secret to an ultra-quick dinner: most of them come already chopped, cutting down on prep time. Plus they taste great when they’re all sauced up and cooked. I’m still reminiscing about the summer, but for now, you can find me in the freezer section.

Here are a few recipes that make the most of healthful frozen fruits and vegetables:

Ravioli with Bell Pepper Sauce Freezer staples—frozen bell peppers with onions and individually quick-frozen spinach—give a simple tomato-based pasta sauce complexity and a big boost of nutrients.

Minestrone with Endive & Pepperoni Considering that this minestrone soup incorporates mostly frozen vegetables, it is remarkably savory and aromatic. Look for frozen soup or stew vegetables with potatoes, carrots, celery and onion in the mix to give the soup the best flavor. Although pepperoni isn’t traditionally part of minestrone soup, you’ll find it’s a great shortcut to add spicy, complex flavor.

Quick Mixed Berry Topping Frozen mixed berries become an almost-instant fruit topping in the microwave. Serve over angel food cake or Greek-style yogurt.

Tortellini Primavera
This creamy tortellini and vegetable pasta is a real crowd pleaser. To make it even quicker, use frozen chopped vegetables instead of fresh. Serve with: A green salad and whole-grain baguette.

What fruits and vegetables do you buy frozen? Tell us what you think below.

TAGS: Hilary Meyer, Food Blog, Quick meals, Nutrition, Budget meals, Family meals, Dinner