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Home » Salad Vegetables

Types of Cauliflower

Made by Anastasia Papapetros - Serves Filed Under: Salad Vegetables

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Discover the ultimate guide to cauliflower - a versatile and delicious member of the brassica family. We'll show you everything you need to know about choosing, selecting, and prepping this incredible vegetable.

Whether you prefer it raw, roasted, or riced, we've got you covered with a variety of mouthwatering salad recipes that will surely impress your taste buds. Get ready to elevate your salads to a whole new level with the amazing flavours and textures of cauliflower!

white, orange & romanesco cauliflower on a dark background

Cauliflower comes from the Latin words caulis (cabbage) and flōs (flower). Cauliflower was cultivated from wild cabbage that grew in Asia and parts of the Mediterranean. It was introduced by the Moors to Europe and became part of the diet by the 1500s. It was cultivated in the British Isles in the 16th century.

In This Post:
 [hide]
  • When are Cauliflowers in Season?
  • Nutritional Information
  • Cauliflower Varieties
  • Selection and Storage
  • How to Prepare Caulfilower
    • How to Cut Into Cauliflower Florets
    • How to Cut Into Cauliflower Steaks
    • How to Make Cauliflower Rice
    • How to Prepare Romanesco
    • How to Prepare Caulilini
  • Ready to Try Some Cauliflower Salads?

When are Cauliflowers in Season?

Cauliflowers are in season during the cooler months, from late autumn/fall to early spring.

Enjoy them fresh and tasty during these seasons- Autumn/Fall, Winter and Spring.

Nutritional Information

Cauliflower is a good source of Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and an excellent source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Potassium and Manganese.
Romanesco is also a good source of protein and a great source of dietary fibre.

Purple, green and yellow cauliflower varieties.

Cauliflower Varieties

White Cauliflowers - are the most common cauliflowers available in Australia they have a creamy, white head that is surrounded by green leaves.
Orange Cauliflowers - are similar in every way to white, the colour is from a genetic mutation, which allows them to hold more beta carotene or Vitamin A. They are also known as Cheddar cauliflower and Orange Bouquet cauliflower. 
Romanesco - is another new type of cauliflower with a bright yellow-green head with distinctive pointy, cone-shaped florets that have a nutty taste when cooked.
Purple Cauliflower - is a new variety that contains anthocyanins that give this vegetable its unique colour. When you overcook purple cauliflower, it turns green as the colour seeps into the cooking water.
Caulilini - is a new brassica variety, it was developed by the same company who introduced broccolini to the market. While broccolini is a cross between broccoli and gai-lan (Chinese broccoli), caulilini is all cauliflower. It has long green stems with cream-coloured, open florets growing in bunches at the tops. The heads are firm, with a few large, cabbage-like leaves growing around them. The entirely edible stems and flowers offer a succulent texture and sweet, nutty flavour with none of the typical brassica aroma or bitter taste.

cauliflower varieties - white, orange, purple, green, romanesco & caulilini

Selection and Storage

Look for white or cream-coloured heads that feel heavy for their size. The deeply ribbed green leaves that envelop a head of cauliflower should look fresh, not wilted, yellow or dry.
Keep cauliflower loosely wrapped in plastic in the fridge. It can keep up to 2 weeks if bought fresh.
You can cut cauliflower into florets and store them, sealed, in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to one week.

How to Prepare Caulfilower

How to Cut Into Cauliflower Florets

Cut off the surrounding leaves (if they’re fresh, they can be cooked, too) and the hard core.

HANDS CUTTING THE STEM FROM A CAULIFLOWER ON WOODEN BOARD

For large cauliflowers, cut off individual florets from the central stem and cut again if necessary.

HANDS BREAKING CAULIFLOWER INTO FLORETS ON WOODEN BOARD

You should end up with florets of comparable sizes so that they all cook at the same pace. Place in a colander and wash under cold running water.

CAULIFLOWER FLORETS ON WOODEN BOARD

How to Cut Into Cauliflower Steaks

Cut off the stalk flush with the base of the crown. (Do not cut any part of the core that is attached to florets.)

HANDS CUTTING THE STEM FROM A CAULIFLOWER ON WOODEN BOARD

Stand the cauliflower upright. Cut 1-inch-thick slices, from the crown down through the core end. Side cuts may be precariously held together but should be bound by the core—use a wide spatula to transfer steaks off your board.

Cauliflower being cut into \'steaks\' on a wooden board.

Reserve any stray pieces, which can be prepared alongside the steaks and served with them.

Place in a colander and wash under cold running water.

How to Make Cauliflower Rice

Wash the cauliflower and remove the leaves and most of the stem.

Then either pulse in a food processor until it resembles rice, (not too fine or it will turn to mush). Re-process any large pieces, then transfer to a mixing bowl.

RICING CAULIFLOWER IN FOOD PROCESSOR

If you don't have a food processor then you can grate your cauliflower with your box grater. Or finely chop with a sharp knife.

GRATING CAULIFLOWER WITH BOX GRATER ON WOODEN BOARD

Cook cauliflower in a non-aluminium saucepan as the chemical in cauliflower can react with the aluminium changing the colour of the cauliflower to yellow.

How to Prepare Romanesco

Cut the base of the romanesco, removing the thick stem that protrudes beyond the florets and larger leaves (if they are attached).
Using a paring knife separate into florets of the same size.
Place in a colander and wash under cold running water.

Cutting romanesco with knife on wooden board.

How to Prepare Caulilini

There is really not much needed to prepare caulilini, wash thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt. Then cut off the bottom, hard stalk then break into smaller long florets.

Caulilini stems, which is a type of cauliflower.

Ready to Try Some Cauliflower Salads?

MISO CAULIFLOWER IN BLUE BOWL WITH CHOPSTICKS, CHILLI FLAKES & CORIANDER ON THE SIDE
MISO CAULIFLOWER
PURPLE CAULIFLOWER SALAD IN A DARK GREY BOWL WITH PARSLEY ON THE SIDE
PURPLE CAULIFLOWER
Roast Cauliflower Salad on a plate.
ROAST CAULIFLOWER
CAULIFLOWER TAHINI SALAD ON A BLACK PATTERNED PLATE WITH ZA'ATAR AND LEMONS & PARSLEY ON THE SIDE
CAULIFLOWER TAHINI SALAD
ROMANESCO SALAD IN PINK SALAD BOWL WITH PARSLEY AND PARMESAN FLAKES IN PINK BOWL ON THE SIDE
ROMANESCO SALAD
CAULIFLOWER TABBOULEH IN A BOWL WITH ZA'ATAR AND PARSLEY ON THE SIDE
CAULIFLOWER TABBOULEH
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About Anastasia Papapetros

Anastasia has been passionate about cooking since she was eight years old, and hasn't left the kitchen since! With over a decade of experience running her own coffee shop and catering business, Anastasia has developed a true love for salads - especially for family get-togethers and friends' functions. She's the go-to for bringing the perfect salad to any occasion!

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