Frozen, Not Forgotten
On long summer days, you may want to spend more time enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and less time in the kitchen. Enter convenient, ready-to-use, time-saving frozen fruits and veggies. These frozen bags of fruit and veggie goodness make meal prep a breeze since all the washing, slicing and dicing is done for you. Their longer shelf life also helps to reduce food waste. Check out these easy ways to add them to your meals and snacks this summer.
Fun ways to use frozen fruit
Infused water
Add frozen berries, pineapple or mango to water, seltzer water, lemonade (or even wine) to keep it cool and to infuse a little fruit flavor as you sip.
Cobblers, cake, pies and galettes
Frozen fruits make baking a breeze. Everything is peeled, pitted and sliced for you! What’s a galette, you ask? It’s a more rustic-looking tart made with a single pie crust where the edges of the crust are folded up over the filling.
Popsicles!
In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup frozen fruit, 1 cup yogurt and 2 tablespoons honey, then pour into popsicle molds and freeze until solid.
Yogurt parfaits and oatmeal bowls
Microwave frozen fruit for 30-60 seconds until it’s mostly thawed and releases the juices…so yummy mixed into yogurt and oatmeal!
Fruit sauce
Thaw frozen fruit and mash it through a strainer to make a fruit sauce then use on pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
Flavored BBQ sauce
If making a homemade BBQ sauce add some thawed and mashed frozen fruit to the mix.
Unique ways to use frozen veggies
Veggie quesadillas
Include frozen mixed veggies, black beans and cheese in your quesadilla, cook until thoroughly heated through, and top with salsa and guacamole.
Summer pasta salads
Add a bag of cooked and cooled mixed vegetables and your pasta salad is ready with no need for slicing and dicing!
Summer salsas
Roast frozen corn for 10 minutes at 400⁰, let cool and then mix with diced red onion, chopped tomatoes, and chives. Make a simple dressing using olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Or simply add frozen and thawed corn to a ready-made salsa.
Quiche
Add frozen broccoli, peas or mixed veggies into a breakfast quiche and bake.
Taco Tuesday
Add a frozen southwestern flavored veggie blend and a can of black beans to your skillet for taco night to boost nutrition and stretch portions!
