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Part of the cabbage family, the name “cauliflower” is derived from the Latin words ‘caulis’ (cabbage) and ‘flos’ (flower). Cauliflower is closely related to broccoli, and has undoubtedly been cultivated more than any other variety. An ancient writer in the first century AD described cauliflower as the ‘most pleasant tasting of all the varieties of cabbage. Native to Cypress, cauliflower spread to Syria, Turkey, Egypt and Europe, and was developed by Arab botanists in the 12th century. Reserved for the rich in France in the 17th century, cauliflower didn’t become popular world wide until gardeners in India developed the Indian cauliflower. Introduced in England about 1720, this sprouting plant was called “Italian asparagus”.

This tasty vegetable has large rounded leaves around the firm “curd” or head, which varies in colors ranging from white, orange and green to purple and brown. Although the white head is most common, the more rare purple Violetta is sweeter and nuttier tasting than the white curd. Gardeners will often tie the leaves together to provide shade and prevent discoloration of the curd.

Cauliflower is often used as a substitute for crusts in pizza and as a substitute for potatoes by mashing them or making cauliflower ‘tater tots’. Delicious boiled, fried, roasted, steamed, or pickled, cauliflower is also served raw in veggie trays, chopped into salads, or blended with soups and casseroles.

One of the more nutritious vegetables, cauliflower is rich in vitamins C, B-5, K, choline, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, manganese, phosphorus, and biotin and is packed with powerful antioxidants which strengthen the immune system and detox the body, prevents hypertension, balances electrolytes, blood sugar and cholesterol, improve bones and skin, and boosts eye health.

A biennial plant, cauliflower is frost resistant, so plant your St. Clare Heirloom cauliflower seeds around 6 to 8 weeks before the first fall frost.