Question for those who don't shop every week

Can you give some suggestions for veggie sides? This is the one thing that stumps me as far as stocking up on enough to last two full weeks. Looking for things that last really well or things I can do with frozen veggies that actually taste good.

Question for those who don't shop every week

If you get big bags of frozen veggies from bj's or costco that usually works - spinach, broccoli, peppers and onions, corn, lots! Defrost a little then sauté em up! (Or roast, sometimes I roast.)

Question for those who don't shop every week

It helps that I have a second fridge/freezer in my basement too

Re: Question for those who don't shop every week

Frozen brussel sprouts are great. Thaw slightly and coat in EVOO and kosher salt and roast. Delish. I feel like brocolli last pretty well in the fridge so I usually buy extra. Also like petite frozen peas (especially Trader Joes brand). Heat up with some butter/salt.

Re: Question for those who don't shop every week

Cauliflower, broccoli, french and other green beans are good frozen. I steam for a few minutes then saute with garlic, a little EVOO and sprinkle with parm and a squeeze of lemon juice plus a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Sorry, I don't consider peas/corn a veggie lol.

As far as fresh veggies that will last into the 2nd week:

peppers, spaghetti/acorn/butternut squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, celery, parsnips, turnips.

I don't eat eggplant, so not sure, but thinking it may last over a week too.

Also, as a last resort you can do canned beets or beans, just rinse the salt off.

Message edited 2/4/2014 10:21:35 AM.

Question for those who don't shop every week

Thanks ladies. Definitely some good ideas here.

Re: Question for those who don't shop every week

Here are some fresh vegetables that last a long time in the fridge:

-bell peppers (green and red mostly. sometimes the orange and yellow ones tend to be soft)
-broccoli
-cabbage
-squashes (butternut, acorn, spaghetti)
-onions

For frozen vegetables, I stock up and when I run out of fresh, I make these things:

-add a bunch to soup (so if I make chicken noodle soup, I'll add carrots, string beans, turnips, lima beans, broccoli, etc.) It's a veggie packed meal but not bland.

-candied carrots. This is totally not healthy, but super delicious anyway. Carrots microwaved with honey or maple syrup and butter.

-mexican/bean salad. I'll take canned beans or some frozen ones and then add lime juice, red onion, green bell pepper and make a mexican bean salad.

-string beans and/or broccoli. I microwave with garlic cloves and slices of lemons. It's easy and plain but tasty.

Re: Question for those who don't shop every week

Re: Question for those who don't shop every week

The veggies that last me fairly good are:

- Peppers (over a week, but not past 2 weeks ever)
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Brocolli
- Asparagus sometimes

In the freezer, I have pees, brocolli, string beans (my favorite).

For pees, I have to figure out what to do w/ them.

Brocolli, I love roasting with a little olive oil, salt and pepper until they get brown, or even sautee them in pan.

For string beans, same thing as brocolli but add in a little parmesean cheese. Yum.

Trader Joe's also has these bags of frozen peppers that I always keep in my freezer and can use in stir fry's, etc.

Message edited 2/4/2014 4:46:22 PM.

Re: Question for those who don't shop every week

I usually shop once a week, so I don't have to stretch it that long. But I agree that winter squash (spaghetti, butternut, acorn, etc.), broccoli or cauliflower, carrots, and bell peppers are good bets to last long.

But I also think that some veggies stay better longer when cooked than when raw. So you could always roast up a big batch of roasted veggies and eat them for a few days in a row.

Frozen veggies are totally healthy... I've never tried roasting, because I feel like they might be a different texture, but they are good options to have on hand.

Also, you may want to just incorporate more veggies into your main meal versus having them as sides as the time goes on. I find that even if veggies are getting a bit wilty or are a little past their prime, they are fine in a soup, chili, stew, pasta dish, casserole, or some other cooked format. So you may want to get your veggies in that way, in a less "pure" form, if they are not at their freshest.

Re: Question for those who don't shop every week

peppers, broccoli , squah and string beans last awhile in fridge for me.

for frozen I always buy the brussel sprouts and asparagus at trader joes, they come out great roasted in oven.

my kids like peas and corn so I make them plain.

Question for those who don't shop every week

Thank you all for the great ideas! This is so helpful.