No, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just got loads of beta-carotene: 25 percent more Vitamin A than other our familiar white cauliflower. It was originally a mutant, discovered in 1970 and bred with its white cousins. The result can be any shade of yellow or orange–as you can see, the one that came in our organic box recently is a pretty vibrant shade!
You’ll sometimes see it called “cheddar cauliflower” but there’s no cheese or cheese taste in it. But it IS creamier and sweeter than its white cousin and of course, it looks mighty cool on the dinner plate. We steamed our orange cauliflower until it was tender, but you can also roast it, mash it, cream it or make a delicious soup from it. This was the first time I’ve ever seen it, much less prepared it, and we were delightfully surprised at the more nuanced taste. In most parts of the U.S. it’s harvested in late August through late November, but in warmer climates, like California, it can be grown year around. Lucky us!
Speaking of cauliflower, you know those dark spots that appear after the head’s been in the fridge a bit? This happens at our house pretty often as I don’t always cook vegetables immediately after I buy them. The discoloration begins as tiny spots that grown bigger in time or after cooking. They are caused by oxidation and they won’t hurt you–but they’re a sign that the cauliflower is reaching is eat-by date. So scrape off those dark spots and cook that baby up! Make it any way you like, but I am partial to steaming them and serving them plain–no seasoning. It’s that yummy. But don’t steam cauliflower too long or it could be a stinky mess. Three to six minutes is usually enough, depending on how tender you like it. We like ours pretty tender.
This is a Romanesco broccoli. Looks eerie, no?
Fancy colored and weird-looking vegetables are all the rage now. I remember finding a Romanesco broccoli in my organic box a couple years ago and thinking it must have been grown on another planet. But it was tasty.
So how about you? Have you tasted orange cauliflower? What’s the weirdest veggie you make?
I’ve only seen these fancy colored veggies in photos and I’m curious about how they taste. I love veggies and I would definitely want to give them a try.
I’m so glad you wrote about this. Cauliflower is one of my faves – but I haven’t tried the yellow variety…definitely will buy that one the next time I see it in the stores!
I love cauliflower! It’s one of the best veggies ever, especially when it’s prepared in the simplest way, like steamed. I love dipping it in cheese or mayo, I know, fatty right? Lol.
I’ve never seen nor had these before! I love the array of unusual colored vegetables available! I also love both carrots and cauliflower so this is a win win for me! Off to find some now!
I’m amazed at how few people know about colored cauliflower. I always grab the colourful cauliflower if I see it at the market, as it’s much more reasonably priced (and local) at the market than at the grocery store. I’ve seen dark purple and green, as well. I’ve never seen the Romanesco Broccoli but I’ll have to look out for it now.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I definitely need to try orange cauliflower! I tried white asparagus, and didn’t like it as much as the green, but was glad I tried something new. Now I want to try the Romanesco broccoli too!
While cleaning stuff off my overloaded computer, I found some interesting cauliflower recipes, and more on “PureWow” site.
I don’t know if I got the site from you, or…? Sorry there’s stuff one would not be interested in, but the recipes looked delicious. Hope you enjoy them. Cheers…
I love cauliflower but hadn’t heard of orange cauliflower. Thanks for sharing the part about the color changing on traditional califlower when I see that I just assume it’s time to throw it away. You probably just saved me some money 🙂
Interesting… I have never seen orange cauliflower before. I would love to try it… seems like it may make a better base for cauliflower mashed potatoes. I haven’t tried many weird veggies. I do love a purple sweet potato.
Interesting! I don’t think I’ve every tried orange cauliflower. My mom always likes the good challenge of cooking and trying new veggies – it always ends up being delicious! It makes me want to give this a try 🙂 I can’t believe you can serve it without seasoning!
After the rainbow carrots you showed the other day I started looking up a few places around here that I am going to check out on Saturday. I’ll be on the lookout. I love cauliflower steamed with a little steak seasoning.
I love adding new color to my plate! I’m going to steam this up soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂 P.S. I’ll have to remember this when Halloween comes around again. Think of all the cool dishes that can be made with this. haha
Hi Carol, I have not tasted orange cauliflower but now I am going to look for it! I love to find you veggies to try! I am so delighted that you shared orange cauliflower with us at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party! Thank you so much for sharing your gems and for your support! I’m pinning and sharing! All the best, Deborah
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I steam cauliflower in the microwave. Haven’t seen any that color though. Do you think they serve the orange in prisons?
Oh that cracks me up. Probably not! LOL
!!!!
I am such a fan of the purple cauliflower and the Romanesco broccoli.
I am now officially on the hunt for this 🙂
And this morn, a purple cauliflower AND Romanescu broccoli appeared in my organic box!
Intriguing! I’m dying to try 🙂
It is delicious.
Yum, I’ll have to look for that. I love cauliflower.
My weirdest veggie is a weed called lambs quarters!
http://frogma.blogspot.com/2008/07/weedeater.html
OMG never heard of that!
It’s very tasty and it’s everywhere!
http://www.ediblewildfood.com/lambs-quarters.aspx
I didn’t realize there were so many varieties of cauliflower!
It’s not your mother’s cauliflower anymore!
Carol, I’ve never tried this recipe before. Since I love all vegetables, I know I’d love this too!
I just made your Skinny balsamic rosemary chicken two days ago. YUMMM.
I’ve only seen these fancy colored veggies in photos and I’m curious about how they taste. I love veggies and I would definitely want to give them a try.
I’m so glad you wrote about this. Cauliflower is one of my faves – but I haven’t tried the yellow variety…definitely will buy that one the next time I see it in the stores!
I love cauliflower! It’s one of the best veggies ever, especially when it’s prepared in the simplest way, like steamed. I love dipping it in cheese or mayo, I know, fatty right? Lol.
I have never seen orange cauliflower but I love it’s white cousins and love the idea of it being more nutrient rich thanks for this!
Cauliflower, in all colors, just kicks ass – End of Discussion! LOL!
I’ve never seen nor had these before! I love the array of unusual colored vegetables available! I also love both carrots and cauliflower so this is a win win for me! Off to find some now!
I’m amazed at how few people know about colored cauliflower. I always grab the colourful cauliflower if I see it at the market, as it’s much more reasonably priced (and local) at the market than at the grocery store. I’ve seen dark purple and green, as well. I’ve never seen the Romanesco Broccoli but I’ll have to look out for it now.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I definitely need to try orange cauliflower! I tried white asparagus, and didn’t like it as much as the green, but was glad I tried something new. Now I want to try the Romanesco broccoli too!
i haven’t had cauliflower in a while -and having never heard of orange cauliflower….
While cleaning stuff off my overloaded computer, I found some interesting cauliflower recipes, and more on “PureWow” site.
I don’t know if I got the site from you, or…? Sorry there’s stuff one would not be interested in, but the recipes looked delicious. Hope you enjoy them. Cheers…
I love cauliflower but hadn’t heard of orange cauliflower. Thanks for sharing the part about the color changing on traditional califlower when I see that I just assume it’s time to throw it away. You probably just saved me some money 🙂
Oh my god!! I used to throw these cauliflower with black dots assuming its bad!! Will not do it from now on???? Thanks for these great tips!!☺
I wonder if it has some natural estrogen. I am going to be looking for some more colorful veggies!
I’ve heard of it before, but I never see it for sale around where I live. If I do see it, I’m going to try it for sure!
Interesting… I have never seen orange cauliflower before. I would love to try it… seems like it may make a better base for cauliflower mashed potatoes. I haven’t tried many weird veggies. I do love a purple sweet potato.
I like broccolini. I’ve never tried orange cauliflower…I did have purple ketchup once.
Whaaaaat?? I’ve never heard of orange cauliflower!! So crazy!
Interesting! I don’t think I’ve every tried orange cauliflower. My mom always likes the good challenge of cooking and trying new veggies – it always ends up being delicious! It makes me want to give this a try 🙂 I can’t believe you can serve it without seasoning!
My kids love cauliflower. We have tried this before it is really good.
I love all vegetables and am always looking for something new to try.
After the rainbow carrots you showed the other day I started looking up a few places around here that I am going to check out on Saturday. I’ll be on the lookout. I love cauliflower steamed with a little steak seasoning.
I’ve never heard of that before, but I think the orange color is neat. I would really like to try some of that now.
Woah! Who knew orange cauliflower was a thing? It definitely brings a whole new meaning to ‘Taste the rainbow’
I’ve never tried orange cauliflower and honestly, it’s the first time I’ve heard of it. Interesting.
Yum, I love cauliflower. I’ve never heard of that before but I’ll have to look for that.
I’ve never come across orange cauliflower before! I like the regular old white stuff so I bet I’d like this too.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison Jones
I’ll admit I don’t know much about cauliflower. But orange? I’ve never seen or heard of this before! How neat.
Funny, I thought this was going to be an orange-cauliflower recipe. I’ve never seen this variety!
I love adding new color to my plate! I’m going to steam this up soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂 P.S. I’ll have to remember this when Halloween comes around again. Think of all the cool dishes that can be made with this. haha
I thought only white color cauliflowers are good to eat! thanks for this tip.. I did not know yellow ones were good for you.
How interesting! I had no idea that the color changed the nutritional value. Now I want to go find an orange cauliflower to try 🙂
Hi Carol, I have not tasted orange cauliflower but now I am going to look for it! I love to find you veggies to try! I am so delighted that you shared orange cauliflower with us at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party! Thank you so much for sharing your gems and for your support! I’m pinning and sharing! All the best, Deborah
I’ve never seen orange cauliflower! What fun! I love oven-roasted cauliflower with olive oil and garlic.