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There were so many things I learned through the #SNAP4aWeek Challenge, but one was that it is so much easier to fit in vegetables when you can buy them washed and ready to eat. Certainly not all vegetables take a long time to clean or prepare, but having a bag of cleaned greens in the fridge means I have absolutely no reason to not eat them for lunch. Having a bag of baby carrots means I have no reason to eat saltines instead of carrots.

It’s definitely something I take for granted.

Here are my favorite convenience vegetables that make fitting in fresh produce SO easy!

  • washed lettuce, salad mix, greens, etc.
  • baby carrots – I actually prefer to peel and cut my own, and I often do, but if I’m short on time, baby carrots do the trick!
  • frozen vegetables – typically they just need a quick saute (green beans are my favorite)
  • bag of washed  broccoli or cauliflower florets, green beans, etc. – you can steam them in the bag, toss them in oil and roast or saute with other vegetables
  • asparagus – a quick rinse and snap of the ends make asparagus on the speedy side

What convenient vegetables do you rely on?

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categories: vegetables13 comments

13 Comments ( Reply )

  1. thehealthyapron
    Jul 31, 2012 @ 7:32 am

    This is so very true but for myself personally, I try to get my veggies in the least processed form possible. But for those struggling to squeeze in their 5-9 I’m thankful they have this more convenient option! I do admit that I LOVE me some baby carrots!

  2. Mellissa
    Jul 31, 2012 @ 8:28 am

    I am a big fan of baby carrots, I buy the big organic bag from Costco or Sam’s. Peapods, a kale salad from Sam’s that I so darn good, and since we don’t have a garden I buy herbs in the little plastic containers.

  3. Faith @ For the Health of It
    Jul 31, 2012 @ 8:41 am

    Convenience vegetables definitely make it a lot easier to increase your daily produce consumption. I do love baby carrots, and the salad bar at Whole Foods makes it SO easy to snag single servings of veggies that I just need for one recipe without having to buy and cut a huge batch of something that I won’t be able to finish!

  4. sarah @ the pajama chef
    Jul 31, 2012 @ 9:17 am

    prewashed greens for sure! but i mostly cut up my own veggies… it seems like many convenience ones aren’t fresh… but maybe that’s just where i live.

    • Emily
      Jul 31, 2012 @ 9:13 pm

      Yes, I’ve tried things like celery before and wasn’t impressed. Sometimes even the bagged produce isn’t very good. :(

  5. Alysha @Shesontherun
    Jul 31, 2012 @ 10:57 am

    I can’t live without frozen veggies. I always have at least 5 bags in my freezer.

  6. Mercedes@Satisfy My Sweet Tooth
    Jul 31, 2012 @ 7:42 pm

    I love frozen edamame and precut and cleaned kale!

    • Emily
      Jul 31, 2012 @ 9:14 pm

      Don’t you wish they would remove the stems?

  7. Nicole Navratil
    Jul 31, 2012 @ 8:17 pm

    Love this!! I just discovered ready-to-eat greens at the co-op. When I’ve got those in my fridge, I eat so well! I throw ‘em into pasta sauce, omelettes, sandwiches, everything.

    Another favorite (I suppose this fits into the frozen veggies category, technically) is edamame. Incredibly healthy & a great source of veggie protein!

    P.S. I’ve heard microwaving veggies in their plastic bags/containers has it’s drawbacks in terms of chemicals in the plastic leaching into the veggies. I’m trying to switch over to glass or ceramic. :)

    Great post!

  8. Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner
    Jul 31, 2012 @ 9:28 pm

    I love the convenience of frozen veggies to keep on hand, and I won’t do without my containers of lettuce–they last so much longer than if I washed, dried, and stored them myself!

  9. Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner
    Aug 02, 2012 @ 10:28 pm

    Baby carrots are definitely one of those deadly convenience foods for me — I eat them SO quickly when they’re like that (which isn’t a bad thing, but it is if you’re my family, as they are gone in a matter of minutes that they enter the house). Haha. ;)

  10. Tim
    Aug 05, 2012 @ 5:40 am

    Being a busy mum i cherish a convenient kitchen. Keeping frozen veggies around helps me prepare dinner quickly when i come home late. Besides I am less likely to skip vegetables when i have some in the fridge. I love carrots and tomatoes.

  11. Kristi Rimkus
    Aug 05, 2012 @ 11:23 am

    Vegetables have been sadly lacking lately on work day lunch menu. I used to clean and chop every Sunday so I had something to choose from during the week. You’ve inspired me to get back into that habit again. Especially since the farmers markets are so colorful this time of year.