Colorful Cauliflower

Cauliflower lovers, rejoice! This yummy vegetable is now available in many stylish colors, which will brighten even the most boring dish and allow you to be even more creative, in the kitchen.

Rainbow cauliflower is available in orange, white, green and purple… yes I said purple. Growers have achieved this feat by repeated cross breeding, until the desired color has been created.

Some shoppers might be a bit turned off by these new rainbow colors, but this is in the first time that this type of color change has been attempted. I was surprised to learn that until the 17th century, European’s ate carrots that were purple or yellow.

It was the Dutch who initially added orange pigment to their carrots in attempt to honor the Royal Family.

Cauliflower, of any color, is loaded with vitamin C and vitamin B6. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber and an important source of protein and calcium. Cauliflower is very low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

But wait, that’s not all. It is also a great source of many minerals including: iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Cauliflower is high in folate, pantothenic acid (whatever that is) and potassium.

The purple coloring in this cauliflower comes from anthocyanin, which may be helpful in preventing heart disease because of the fact that it is instrumental in slowing blood clotting.

Orange cauliflower is said to contain up to 25 times more beta-carotene than white cauliflower. Beta-carotene is a form of vitamin A that is essential for healthier skin.

I love raw cauliflower. But, I also enjoy it steamed as well. It’s great in low-calorie soups and salads and is wonderful, hot off the grill or when roasted in the oven.

When purchasing cauliflower, look for a compact head with no brown spots. Typically heads, which are surrounded by big green leaves are fresher, as they are better protected during travel.

You can store uncooked cauliflower in the refrigerator, for up to one week… in either a plastic or paper bag… just remember paper is better for the environment. To prevent moisture, store the head stem side down.

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March 23, 2008 | Filed Under Diet, food 

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18 Responses to “Colorful Cauliflower”

  1. Jillian on March 23rd, 2008

    Wow, orange cauliflower?? It looks interesting to say the least. I remember going to the store and seeing “brocoflower”. A mix of broccoli and cauliflower. Amazing what they come up with!

    Jillian’s last blog post..Why Don’t You Come Over To My Place? No Really…

  2. Entrepreneur on March 24th, 2008

    Ok, I must say, that orange vegetable caught my eye. I’ve never liked cauliflower (broccoli fan) but now that its orange, I hate it ;)

    Entrepreneur’s last blog post..Singapore’s “THE Independent Traveller” Launches Maiden Issue

  3. Blue Licorice on March 24th, 2008

    I love cauliflower and used to snack on it all of the time when I was doing Weight Watchers. I can’t do that right now as I’m without (teeth), hahaha but will do it again after I’m all fixed up in that area. Nice post. I haven’t seen any colored cauliflower except I think I did see some green ones somewhere.

    Blue Licorice’s last blog post..Contest to win a Handbag

  4. blueyes on March 24th, 2008

    I have seen the green cauliflower here in my grocery store but does it taste the same as the regular one because I like cauliflower.

  5. gina on March 24th, 2008

    Funny, I saw that this weekend when I was in the grocery store. I’m going to purchase on next time I go shopping and come up with a new recipe for my blog!

  6. amy on March 24th, 2008

    wow! that will make dishes look great! btw, i saw on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” that carrots still come in all of those colors – certain varieties. I was surprised! I’d never heard that before!

    amy’s last blog post..Just A Test

  7. Deimos Tel`Arin on March 25th, 2008

    This has gotta be the first time I ever seen an orange cauliflower! O_O

    Deimos Tel`Arin’s last blog post..By: Tam (fighting with writing)

  8. Ruthie on March 25th, 2008

    Wow! Very interesting! Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies!

    Ruthie’s last blog post..Weekly Recap – Been Under the Weather

  9. Elena on March 26th, 2008

    This is something new to me. I like the sound of it …. and will have to seek it out. Thank you for sharing this info.
    Ciao for now, Elena :)

  10. Dara on March 26th, 2008

    Cool cauliflower! I’m new to cauliflower (my nutritionist got me to try it last year for the first time) and now I love it. I can almost fool myself into thinking it’s mashed potatoes, if I cook it just right.

    I’m always looking for ways to increase my veggie intake — great post!

  11. Elle on March 26th, 2008

    Yummmm cauliflower. Love love it with a little olive oil, wine vinegar, worchestershire sauce, salt and pepper. I’ll be looking for the new designer colors!

    Elle’s last blog post..Seven Random Confessions

  12. annie on March 26th, 2008

    interesting…this one i think could possible help parents to encourage kids to eat vegetables..color does matter a lot to kids… :)

    annie’s last blog post..Warm & Fabulous Welcome for JLo’s Twins!

  13. Jolene on March 28th, 2008

    I wonder if we’ll get the colored stuff up here, I would love to try it! I love cauliflower, especially roasted with garlic and onions with some olive oil…..yummy!

    I saw the colored carrots on Food Network with Jamie Oliver, he grows them, I’ll have to try those too if I ever see them.

    My mom buys the purple beans all the time, I haven’t tried them though, I love green beans so much.

    lol, hmmm, this has me realizing how many veggies I really love but never eat…need to change that!

    Jolene’s last blog post..Top 10

  14. Leon on March 29th, 2008

    That’s interesting. Not so much about the cauliflower but the purple and yellow carrots.

    Leon’s last blog post..My thoughts on…Rick Rolling

  15. Judi on March 29th, 2008

    Isn’t it funny how we get conditioned to the colors of what our food is *suppose* to be? I mean, carrots any other color than orange seems so strange.. yet, here I found out that wasn’t even natural. Purple carrots.. wow..

    I love cauliflower too.. I like it raw with dip, or fried… with lots of salt. :) Oh yeah, go healthy me. ;)

    Judi’s last blog post..Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

  16. Ash on March 31st, 2008

    Interesting! Does orange cauliflower taste any different?

    Ash’s last blog post..Four corners of a frame

  17. Queen O'Danile on April 1st, 2008

    LOVE your blog–soooo colorful! I’ll be back!

    Queen O’Danile’s last blog post..And it continues…

  18. castocreations on April 4th, 2008

    I like cauliflower, which is weird for me because I am so picky, but I am wary of anything colored in a way it “shouldn’t” be. Maybe if it tastes the same but I am ridiculously picky.

    Do you know how much nutrients cauliflower loses when cooked? I won’t eat it raw and cook it almost every night. :)

    castocreations’s last blog post..Look Ma! I CAN Cook!

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