Know Your Frozen Vegetables
What should you actually look for?
Frozen vegetables can look similar on the pack. But size, cut, proportions, texture and what actually ends up in the bag can make a real difference.
Here are a few things worth noticing.
A few things worth noticing.
Different vegetables give you different clues.Peas
Look at size and consistency, then pay attention to sweetness and tenderness once cooked.Broccoli
Look at floret size, the balance between stem and floret, colour and how well it holds its structure after cooking.Cauliflower
Look at floret size and consistency, colour and the texture after cooking.Okra
Look at pod or piece size, consistency and how well it holds together when cooked.Spinach
Look at the cut or format, colour, texture and how much water it releases into the dish.Peas & Carrots
Look at the ratio of peas to carrots, the size of the carrot pieces and how evenly the two cook together.Try them for yourself.
You don't need a specification sheet to judge frozen vegetables. Cook them and pay attention to a few simple things.
Does it cook evenly?
Very different sizes can mean some pieces are ready before others.
Does it hold its colour?
Notice how the vegetable looks before and after cooking.
Do you like the texture?
Tender, firm or softer can all work. What matters is whether it suits the dish and your preference.
Are you getting what you want?
Look at the cut, usable pieces and proportions, especially with florets and mixed vegetables.
There isn't one “best” frozen vegetable.
A smaller broccoli floret may suit one dish while a larger one suits another. More stem may matter when serving broccoli as a side, but much less when making soup.
The point is to understand what you're getting and whether it works for what you're making.