To make freeze-dried vegetables, food companies remove most of the water from fresh vegetables using a complex process of dehydration and freezing. Typically, less than 5 percent of the original water content remains in the vegetables at the time of packaging. Freeze drying enhances vegetables' taste and color and improves their shelf life without harming their nutrition.
Nutrition
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vegetables contain an array of vitamins and minerals. Most vegetables tend to be high in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. Regularly eating a wide variety of fresh or freeze-dried vegetables can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer.
Nutrient Loss
A small amount of nutrients may be lost during the processing of freeze-dried vegetables. In fact, freeze-dried vegetables typically retain more nutrients than frozen or canned vegetables. Freeze-dried vegetable have the same amount of fiber, carbohydrates or protein after processing as they do before processing.
Considerations
Before purchasing freeze-dried vegetables, consider checking to see if the manufacturer has added any preservatives or additives to the final product to enhance color, taste or shelf life. Preservatives can impact the nutrition of freeze-dried vegetables.
How to Use
Freeze-dried vegetables have a crisp, crunchy texture, making them a good substitute for chips or crackers. Dip them in salsa, hummus or yogurt for extra flavor. Freeze-dried vegetables can also be used in soups or stews for an added boost of nutrition. If you reconstitute the vegetables with a bit of water, they can be enjoyed in casseroles, side dishes or on their own. And if you just can't tolerate the taste of vegetables, blend very dry vegetables into a fine powder and sprinkle over soups, stews, salads, side dishes or smoothies.
References
- Washington State University Cooperative Extension: Drying Fruits and Vegetables
- Honeyville Food Products: Honeyville's Freeze Dried Fruits and Vegetables
- USA Emergency Supply: All About Dehydrated Vegetables
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Fruit & Vegetable Benefits
- Harvard School of Public Health: Vegetables and Fruits
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