Seasonality
Year Round (w)
Aug-Oct (c)
Quick Tips
Cooking
Raw
Roasted
Steamed
Sautéed/Stir Fried
Buying
Look for cauliflower that is uniform in color without brown spots. The florets should appear crisp and tight while the leaves around the cauliflower should look fresh, not limp.
Storing
Wrapped in plastic, cauliflower will keep up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
To freeze, cut fresh cauliflower into florets and soak in a cold salt water bath for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse well, and transfer to boiling water to blanch. Blanch for 2-3 minutes and remove to an ice bath. Lay in a single layer on a sheet tray covered with wax paper. Freeze for 1 hour then transfer to a freezer safe container.
Varieties
White
Orange
Green
Purple
About
Even though cauliflower is available year-round, the cool-weather, fresh picked cauliflower is a treat. It's mellow flavor is a nice contrast from the other brassica plant family members (such as cabbage and broccoli). There's a slight delicateness of cauliflower that works well with grains and herbs but can also stand to be the star of the recipe (like in a cauliflower steak). I find very few recipes in which I can swap cauliflower for broccoli but it's something you can try. Cauliflower holds up better and I find it works well in curries and even as a topping for pizza.
In addition to the head, cauliflower leaves are also edible. Try cooking them with a little olive, garlic and salt to serve as a side dish.
How to cut Cauliflower Steaks
All Vegetarian Cauliflower Recipes
Baked Farro Risotto with Cauliflower
Barley Risotto with Cauliflower and Cheddar
California Green Ripe Olive Cauliflower Salad
Caramelized Cauliflower Salad
Cauliflower and Millet Gratin
Cauliflower Cakes with Brown Rice and Cheddar
Cauliflower Fritters with Herb-Sunflower Spread
Cauliflower Pasta with Lemon-Almond Sauce
Cauliflower Salad with Lemon-Dill Yogurt Dressing
Cauliflower Stir fry with Quinoa
Cauliflower with Cream and Breadcrumbs
Cheddar Cauliflower Gratin with Roasted Garlic
Chickpea Curry with Cauliflower
Coriander Cauliflower Amaranth Salad
Creamy Gorgonzola Rice and Roasted Cauliflower
Curried Cauliflower Pizza
Curried Cauliflower Wrap
Fried Cauliflower with Romesco Sauce and Quinoa
Fried Egg Cauliflower Grain Bowl
Harissa Cauliflower Lentil Stew with Lemon
Harissa Lentils and Cauliflower
Harissa Roasted Cauliflower Salad Lemon-Avocado Dressing
Quinoa and White Bean Risotto with Brassicas
Roasted Cauliflower and Cheddar Cheese Soup
Roasted Cauliflower Pasta with Poppy Seed Cream Sauce
Roasted Cauliflower Recipes for Fall
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Roasted Fennel and Cauliflower with Chickpeas
Roasted Mole Cauliflower with Chickpeas
Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Thyme Butter
Sprouted Rye Berries and Roasted Cauliflower Bowl
Sumac Cauliflower Salad with Lentils
Turmeric Cauliflower Egg Skillet
White Bean Gnocchi with Cauliflower and Cream Sauce
Whole Roasted Tikka Masala Cauliflower