How to Store and Cook With Pureed Vegetables
Weight Loss Tactic: How to Sneak Pureed Veggies Into Every Meal
Not everyone loves to eat their veggies. If you're having a hard time stomaching a huge salad or a side of sauteed kale, it doesn't mean you can't reap the benefits of this nutritious food group — you just have to get a little creative and trick your taste buds.
If you have a baby in your life, then you're already familiar with their little jars of pureed food. While we're not recommending you stock up on jars of baby food, pureed veggies are an easy way to sneak produce into your diet. Mixed in with your favorite recipes, you'll hardly be able to taste them. Puree veggies to use them right away, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. You can also make a larger batch of puree veggies and freeze one-ounce portions in BPA-free ice cube trays to use for later.
Check out the list below to see which vegetables puree well, which freeze well, and how they can be used.
| Veggie | Storage | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli, raw or steamed | Fridge; may become watery after freezing | Add to smoothies, tomato sauce, or pasta dishes |
| Beans (black, cannellini, chickpeas, or kidney) | Fridge or freezer | Add to smoothies, oatmeal, dips, soups as a thickener, baked good recipes, or spread on sandwiches |
| Beets, raw or steamed | Fridge or freezer | Smoothies, mashed potatoes, tomato sauce, baked good recipes |
| Carrots, raw or steamed | Fridge or freezer | Add to smoothies, oatmeal, soups, pancake batter, mashed potatoes, or spread on sandwiches |
| Cauliflower, raw or steamed | Fridge; may become watery after freezing | Add to mashed potatoes, soups, or tomato sauce |
| Green Beans, raw or steamed | Fridge or freezer | Add to tomato sauce or soups |
| Kale | Fridge or freezer | Add to smoothies, soups, dips, or tomato sauce |
| Parsnips, steamed | Fridge; may become watery after freezing | Add to mashed potatoes, oatmeal, or soups |
| Peas, raw or steamed | Fridge or freezer | Add to soups or tomato sauce |
| Peppers (bell) | Fridge; doesn't freeze well | Add to soups, tomato sauce, or spread on sandwiches |
| Sweet potato | Fridge or freezer | Add to smoothies, oatmeal, soups, pancake batter, mashed potatoes, or spread on sandwiches |
| Spinach | Fridge or freezer | Add to smoothies, baked good recipes, or pasta dishes |
| Squash (winter) | Fridge or freezer | Add to smoothies, oatmeal, soups, dips, pancake batter, mashed potatoes, or spread on sandwiches |
| Turnip | Fridge or freezer | Add to mashed potatoes, tomato sauce, or soups |
Link Love
- 9 moves closer to a tighter, more toned tushFitness Magazine
- Tips for a healthier Memorial Day BBQ — HuffPost Healthy Living
- Do you have to feed your family organic? — POPSUGAR Moms
- Don't ignore this diet advice — Yahoo! Shine
- Another twist on the flat-belly smoothie — Fab Fit Fun
- How long you need to sweat to burn off Summer treats — Shape Magazine
- Mayo-free potato salad recipe — Healthful Pursuit
You Might Also Like
1 Comment