What is Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a very versatile vegetable that grows from the ground. A head of cauliflower is large and round, with ivory, bumpy florets and green leaves at the bottom. It is commonly known as a white vegetable but comes in a variety of colors like purple, green, and orange. These vegetables are available year-round, but best in the fall, winter, and early spring. 

What does Cauliflower taste like?

Cauliflower has a mild flavor that is slightly sweet and nutty. 

How can you eat Cauliflower?

Eat Cauliflower either raw or cooked. Serve Fresh cauliflower with other veggies like carrots and celery as part of a vegetable platter with a dipping sauce. Cauliflower can also be steamed, roasted, sauteed, or fried and served as a side dish. Being that it’s a mild vegetable, it goes well with many kinds of seasonings and flavors, such as herbs and garlic, lemon, or even hot sauce. Many people also like to use cauliflower as a healthy substitute for potatoes in recipes like mashed potatoes! Just used steamed cauliflower in place of boiled potatoes in your favorite recipe! 

Where can you buy Cauliflower?

You can buy cauliflower at the grocery store in the produce section, usually in whole heads or packaged and cut into small florets. You can also find it in the freezer aisle of the grocery store, next to the other frozen vegetables.

How do you store Cauliflower?

To store whole cauliflower, wrap it plastic, and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks. Raw cauliflower that has already cut into florets will last about a week stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. To keep cauliflower longer, blanch, or slightly cook the cauliflower in boiling water and freeze for up to one year. 

Fun Fact about Cauliflower:

The name cauliflower comes from the Latin phrase meaning “flowers of cabbage.” When cauliflower is growing, it is round and green like a cabbage.

Did you know?

Cauliflower belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables. Other cruciferous veggies include broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. 

Recipes Using Cauliflower

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Combine cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese in a zip-top bag and shake until the cauliflower is evenly coated. Roast the cauliflower in the oven at 425 degrees on a baking sheet for 30 minutes for a delicious vegetable side dish.

Cauliflower Mash

Make a healthy version of classic mashed potatoes and use cauliflower instead. Mash steamed cauliflower, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth. Try adding seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or even grated black truffles to enhance the flavor!

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Season cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and roast them in the oven at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove the cauliflower from the oven and toss with your favorite mild buffalo wing sauce. Bake for an additional 10 minutes and serve with celery, carrot sticks and ranch dressing.

Cauliflower Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Using a saucepan, make a cheese sauce using butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheddar cheese. In a glass baking dish, add steamed cauliflower and broccoli pieces and the cheese sauce. Top the casserole with bread crumbs and bake it in the oven for 30 minutes or until the topping is crunchy and the dish is bubbling.

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Start by chopping a head of cauliflower very finely by hand or in a food processor to make small, rice-sized pieces. Add a drizzle of oil to a large skillet and add the cauliflower as well as diced carrots, onions, and peas. Saute until the vegetables are soft, and season with soy sauce. Add diced chicken or scrambled eggs for a complete meal!