Green Giant Simply Steam Garden Vegetable Medley

March 13, 2008 | Reviewer: Abi

Green Giant Simply Steam Garden Vegetable Medley Price: $2.00 on sale
Serving: 1/2 package, 4oz.
Calories: 50
Fat: 1%, 0.5g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 26%, 280mg
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 4%, 11g
Fiber: 6%, 1g
Sugar: 3g
Weight Watchers Points: 1 Point per Serving

Green Giant says: Sugar snap peas, roasted potatoes, red peppers and garden herbs

Abi says: Over a year ago, my friend and fellow reviewer Jess proposed that we create and publish a frozen vegetable continuum. This chart would inform frozen food companies about the heat and eatability of each member of the vegetable family. If we’d made the chart, perhaps this side dish would have never come to fruition. Not that the folks at Green Giant are actually paying any attention to Heat Eat Review. But you know, if they were and if we did then my lunch would have been much happier.

On that non-existent chart roasted red peppers would appear definitively on the ‘NO’ side. I enjoy a good roasted red pepper in regular life, but in the world of microwaved food the only thing they provide is color. Color and unavoidable sliminess. Fortunately, the red peppers were the least populous part of this side dish, far outnumbered by the potatoes and peas.

The potato portion is perfect for anyone who lacks self control when it comes to tuber consumption. Plus, the seasonings are peppery and piquant and probably other words that also start with p. Sure, the potatoes have the grainy mealiness of frozen and microwaved spuds (there’s a reason why they’re called ‘root cellars’ and not ‘root iceboxes’), but I have to say that they provided me with a full stomach and an opportunity to really taste the seasoning.

Rounding out the triumvirate of not-that-great vegetables were the ~~sugar~~ ~~snap~~ peas. There were not snappy. There were also not sugary. Instead, they were exactly the sort of vegetable that lead small children to avoid anything green until they’re in their 50’s and the threat of prostate cancer looms large.

Green Giant’s Garden Vegetable Medley is the least enjoyable steamed vegetable product I’ve consumed in the last six months. Now I understand why some of you consider ‘enjoyable steamed vegetable product’ an oxymoron. I cannot in good conscience call this two servings of vegetables, but considering that I won’t be buying them again, I’m not too worried about their serving size definitions.

If you’re looking for something healthy to supplement your lunch I suggest you turn to the simple and somewhat Italian-seasoned Simply Steam Carrots and Broccoli instead.

comments

7 Responses to “Green Giant Simply Steam Garden Vegetable Medley”

Lisa on March 13th, 2008

I have never tasted a sugar snap pea that was frozen that I though was even remotely near edible. I am sad they weren’t very good, because this is the first time I’ve actually seen them look appetizing.
Emily on March 13th, 2008

I actually ate these with my lunch today and I agree with you on the red pepper stance. They are nasty in there. Half of the peas are edible and most of the potatoes are. I enjoyed them simply because I got them for practically free and figured it was at least adding some sort of nutrition to my diet.
Rose on March 13th, 2008

I thought the snap peas were asparagus. too bad I was mistaken, I hate peas in all their forms..bleck. asparagus though, mmm.
Becka on March 14th, 2008

Huh, I buy this one all the time and I love it. I’d rate it 4 stars if not 4.5, personally. It’s never turned out mushy for me.
Abi Jones on March 14th, 2008

@Lisa - Their glisten texture belies the mushy natures of the peas.

@Emily - Don’t you find it frustrating to eat something because it is ‘Good for you’ rather than ‘Delicious’?

@Rose - I am asparagussed out. I’ve had so much of it over the last week: broiled, baked, grilled, fried. And let me say this right now: Deep Fried Asparagus is a weird form of heaven.

@Becka - Tell me your secret!
Becky on March 17th, 2008

I agree with your review 100% - when peas and potatoes get together, it’s NOT magic.
Lila G. Brierley on May 3rd, 2008

Is there any way to prepare the Garden Vegetable Medley so that they can be served as a cold salad (sugar snap peas, roasted potatoes, red peppers?
I had this dish at a friends with cold salmon.

Please advise me about this.

Lila