More cauliflower recipes

Romanesco is a variety of green cauliflower with pointed, lime-green curds. It is more delicate than the standard cauliflower, and cooks more quickly. You may also find orange or purple cauliflowers in farmers’ markets and farm shops.

Choose cauliflowers with firm, compact, creamy-white heads, stout fresh leaves, and clean white stalks. Avoid any with limp, yellowing leaves, slimy stalks or spotted brown curds.

Cauliflower is in season from February to May and again from August to December.

A good, undamaged head will keep loosely wrapped for over a week in the fridge. Supermarkets tend to cut off the leaves, but in fact they give the delicate curd extra protection.

To freeze, divide the cauliflower into florets and wash. Blanch in boiling water, drain, plunge into iced water and drain again. Transfer to freezer bags, label and seal. Cook from frozen.

Trim off the leaves, cut off the core and separate the individual florets. Steam, fry, stir-fry or eat the florets raw in salads or eat as crudités with dips. Serve as a vegetable accompaniment to meat and poultry dishes, or use in soups, fritters, bakes, curries and, of course, cauliflower cheese. Cauliflower is also a major ingredient in piccalilli. Try roasting cauliflower – it really concentrates the flavour.

More cauliflower recipes

Baharat chicken with orzo salad and tabbouleh

Korean crispy cauliflower with spiced mayo

Vegetable Thai curry

Air fryer cauliflower and chickpea salad with tahini dressing

Cauliflower cheese

Smoked haddock and cauliflower gratin

Warm spiced cauliflower and chickpea salad with pomegranate seeds

Cauliflower mash

Caramelised cauliflower purée with greens and an almond dressing

Gluten-free mac ‘n’ cheese

Cauliflower rice

Smoky bean stew with creamy cauliflower mash

Chickpea traybake pittas

Easy vegetable curry

Air fryer cauliflower tikka

Roasted cauliflower with cashew nuts

Roast cauliflower and celeriac curry with black dal and peshwari naan

Aloo gobi

Fermented vegetables and kimchi

Piccalilli

Charred cauliflower satay skewers

'Nduja-stuffed boxty dumplings with cauliflower purée

Joe’s wow chicken, cauliflower, leek and bean pie

Barbecued cauliflower with lemony bulgur and goats’ cheese

Buyer's guide

Storage

Preparation

Typically made with cauliflower

Cauliflower cheese

Other brassicas

Broccoli

Brussels sprouts

Cabbage

Kohlrabi

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