Review: Allens New Seasoned Veggies

I recently had a chance to review some Allens new Seasoned, Southern-style veggies. I grew up on a farm in a small town in the South, so I think I’m fairly well qualified to say whether these foods are the real thing. Fried green tomatoes were regularly served at my house. And, yes, I’d have freshly shelled peas or just-picked green beans with maybe some mustard greens, but always homegrown tomatoes, usually picked that day. And lots of squash. You get the picture. Veggies were my family’s source of income growing up, so we ate a lot of them too.

I tried three products (for free) from the new Seasoned line at Allens:

• Seasoned Green Beans & Potatoes with Vidalia Onion
• Seasoned Field Peas and Snaps
• Hoppin’ John (with Blackeye Peas, Tomatoes, Onions & Jalapenos)

Interesting note: Allens, based in Arkansas, is the largest family owned and operated vegetable company in the nation.

I was most surprised with the Seasoned Green Beans & Potatoes with Vidalia Onion. It tasted about like what my Mom would prepare fresh in a pressure cooker. I didn’t add any seasonings at all. I just put them in a saucepan to heat.

However, they don’t look exactly like the photo on the label. What ever does? They weren’t distasteful looking though.

I’m sure the onions were in there, but I just didn’t see them. I also didn’t see the red specs of seasoning or white potatoes. The potatoes had more of a yellow hue. Despite their looks not matching the photo on the label, I’d still try these again for their flavor and ease of cooking. My husband, who doesn’t like green beans, enjoyed them!

As for the Hoppin’ John, I have to admit I’ve never had it before.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I feared they’d be too spicy for me since they had jalapenos. I generally avoid anything spicy. However, I was able to eat the Hoppin’ John without problems. They were a bit more soupy than the photo on the label would lead you to believe. The flavor was good, but I did get a bit bored with the dish after a few bites.

Maybe it’s just not my thing. Yet, if you’re looking for seasoned blackeye peas with tomatoes, you’re in luck. My husband and I agreed they were just a bit too heavy on the tomato.

The Seasoned Field Peas and Snaps were good. Again, I just heated them in a saucepan without adding anything. If you want some good-tasting, pre-seasoned tiny peas with snaps and plenty of juices, then you just can’t go wrong with these. I have nothing to complain about with them.

Heart Healthy: All of the three products I reviewed are free of saturated fat and cholesterol. You can find the full nutrition info by following the links above.

Some final thoughts: Though I generally prefer buying fresh vegetables, I know that’s not always possible. It’s good to have around some healthier foods that are quick to prepare. And canned vegetables can be a good way to eat healthy on a budget. I’d probably buy Allens Seasoned again, except for Hoppin’ John. In general though, I do wish all makers of canned foods would disclose results of BPA testing, and possibly phase out the use of the ingredient in cans in the near future.

The new Seasoned line includes lots more than just the three products I reviewed. For example, you can try out Seasoned Butter Beans and Seasoned Mustard Greens, among others. I’m not sure, but my parents, who still cut fresh mustard greens, might think I was a bit strange for buying canned greens!

(Image credits: Can photo via Allens; Food images via Peggy Rowland)