Frozen veggies with sauce get fair rating

The Green Giant has called in reinforcements.

Now, his premium frozen veggies can be found served in an assortment of “chef inspired” sauces. The Spokesman-Review reader food panel recently tasted the Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets in Roasted Garlic and Herb sauce as well as the Sugar Snap Peas, Cauliflower and Red Pepper in a Parmesan Asiago Sauce.

Tasters were pretty evenly split between those who liked the new sauces and those who pushed them around their plates. Both flavors received a decent three-and-a-half-star rating.

“Well-seasoned, crispy and vibrantly colored vegetables,” said Tina Johnson. The sauce is light and understated.”

Peggy Kazanis agreed saying, “These veggies are perfectly crisp. They have a great flavor.”

Rachel Powell, a visiting high school student who tasted along with the panel members, said the dish might inspire her to eat her vegetables. “They were delicious (I usually don’t like broccoli but this one was great). The sauce was great.”

Marcia Oranen said her vegetables and sauce were not tasty at all. “Mushy, not much flavor… in some sort of butter sauce.”

Andy Hoye thought the Green Giant’s vegetables were fine, but the sauces left him flat. “Uninspired sauce but adequate vegetables.”

The vegetables come in a resealable freezer bag and can be prepared in the microwave or on the stovetop. There are “seasoning chips” scattered through the bag, which melt into sauce during cooking.

The snap peas, cauliflower and red pepper blend received the same three-and-a-half rating, but the tasters’ comments tended to be less flattering.

“Not bad, I just don’t like the way packaged foods with red peppers tend to take over the dish,” said Skip Hubbard.

“The sauce is a little bit thin, but the vegetables are fresh and tender,” said Andy Hoye.

Green Giant also has a new Tuscan Herb Sauce.

Green Giant Select, Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets with Roasted Garlic and Herb Sauce

Price: $3.29 for 19 ounces

Nutrition per 1/2 -cup serving: 50 calories, 2 grams fat (.5 grams saturated, 36 percent fat calories), 2 grams protein, 6 grams carbohydrate, 5 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 310 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • 1/2

Value: • • •

Comments: “Great veggies in a nicely understated sauce. Use it in a pinch, heck, I’d use it any time.” – Skip Hubbard

“Something I would taste and eat at a restaurant… Looked yummy on the plate.” – Marilyn Moore

“Decent flavors, but mushy veggies.” – Vicki Deschaine

Green Giant Select, Sugar Snap Peas, Cauliflower and Red Pepper with Parmesan Asiago Sauce

Price: $3.29 for 19 ounces

Nutrition per 1/2 -cup serving: 60 calories, 2 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 30 percent fat calories), 3 grams protein, 8 grams carbohydrate, 5 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 290 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • 1/2

Value: • • •

Comments: “Good veggies, but there’s too much sauce. Lots of pricey peas – a plus.” – Tina Johnson

“Cheese sauce was watery, not good flavor – odd orange color.” – Marcia Oranen

“Decent texture, but what is that sauce?” – Vicki Deschaine