D.O.P.-T.

This evening I ate the last of my packets of frozen riced broccoli-cauliflower. These packets of frozen riced veggies appeared about 3 years ago at the two supermarkets we alternate between: mainly either cauliflower or broccoli, from Green Giant or in one store also slightly more expensive from Boulder Canyon, whose cauliflower was whiter and for some reason their version came more neatly out of the packet after microwaving. Both companies also did cauliflower and sweet potato, which always sold out first. They were marketed as just one ingredient, no sauces or seasonings, and they sold quite well at both our supermarkets; well enough that Green Giant frozen veggies cut like Angel Hair pasta and Birds Eye frozen pasta made out of lentils or chickpeas and with minimal seasonings (like olive oil) also appeared on the shelves. All were labeled as 3 servings but were really just one; the riced veggies were 1% sodium RDA per serving. Then Green Giant added tiny peas and bits of carrot to riced cauliflower ("cauliflower medley") and tiny bits of mushroom and green onion to riced cauliflower ("cauliflower risotto medley"), and they were good and also 1% sodium RDA, and gradually the plain cauliflower and broccoli went away, although there were a few packets of broccoli-cauliflower. The Birds Eye pasta with cheese sauce lingered till it was marked down; the olive oil pasta was always sold out. Post-lockdown .... occasionally there'll be "cauliflower medley" or "cauliflower risotto medley", but not many left. The Boulder Canyon brand seems to have given up, or the store that carried it has stopped doing so. And the pasta packets are gone, too. But last week there was a Green Giant frozen "stir-fry" cauliflower medley. With 15% sodium RDA per serving. No sauce, just riced veggies was a good idea. But we can't have it any more.