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Cauliflower Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to cauliflower products
About cauliflower
The word "cauliflower" stems from Latin and means "flowers of cabbage." This cruciferous vegetable does resemble cabbage when it's growing until its large leaves begin to open. That's when you notice the globe-shaped head that is about 6-8in in diameter. The head has florets attached to its stem.
Cauliflower is naturally high in B-vitamins and fiber, and one cup of it has 75% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. This vegetable also boasts antioxidants that can protect against cancer. It's in the same family as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Cauliflower has a mild taste, and when it's cooked, the flavor becomes nuttier and caramelized.
When preparing cauliflower, you can either eat it raw or cooked. The entire head can be eaten as well, including the leaf, stalk, and florets. If you're eating the cauliflower raw, you can eat it on its own, with a dip, or add it to salads. Cooking the cauliflower opens up a wide array of options, as you can serve it as a side dish, topped with a sauce, or part of other dishes. You can also interchange cauliflower for broccoli in most dishes.
Once you know how you want to prepare the cauliflower, open the Instacart app and add this vegetable to your cart. An Instacart shopper will start working on your order and get the cauliflower to your house on the same day if possible.Â
How to pick out cauliflower
Cauliflower is a cool-weather vegetable, meaning that it is best to enjoy in the late fall and winter into early spring. When selecting raw cauliflower, you want one that has a firm head with no dark spots. Check the bottom of the head, and if it's soft, it's no longer fresh. Also, if the florets have started to flower, the vegetable is overripe. The cauliflower should also have bright green leaves still attached to the stem. When you pick up the head, it should feel heavy for its size.
Cauliflower comes in several different varieties:
- White: This is the most common type and consists of dark clusters of buds known as florets.
- Orange: The orange cauliflower became available in 2003, and it is similar in taste to the white cauliflower, except it has 25% more vitamin A.
- Green: Also known as "broccocauli" and "broccoflower," this type has stunning spirals of florets. Some people think this is a cross between broccoli and cauliflower, but it isn't. It has a slightly sweeter taste than white cauliflower.
- Purple: Also similar to white cauliflower, purple cauliflower has anthocyanins, a healthy phytochemical that causes the color found in purple cabbage. It cooks faster than white cauliflower and has a slightly milder taste. When cooked, its color turns from purple to green.
When preparing cauliflower, remove it from the plastic bag and soak it in salted water and vinegar for a few minutes. This process can force out any dirt lodged in the florets. Dry off the head, and remove the outer leaves. Take a sharp knife and cut the stalk from the head. This allows the florets to remain attached to the core. Cut each cluster of florets from the core, leaving a little of each stem. If the florets are too large, cut them down further.
To store the cauliflower, keep it in its plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Avoid washing it until you're ready to use it. Try to place it stem-side down to prevent moisture from accumulating near the edible parts. Washed and cut florets will lose their freshness much faster. Seal the florets in a plastic bag, and they will last in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Cauliflower Near Me
Buy your favorite Cauliflower online with Instacart. Order Green Cauliflower, Orange Cauliflower, Purple Cauliflower, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
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FAQs about cauliflower
Yes, you can freeze cauliflower. You don't want to just throw it in the freezer, though, as you will end up with soggy and flavorless cauliflower when you thaw it.
Thoroughly clean the head, and cut off the florets. Aim to have them no more than 1.5in thick. Place the florets into a pot of boiling water, and let them cook for 5 minutes. Drain them in a colander, and immediately place them into a bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process. Leave them in there for 3 minutes.
To prevent the florets from sticking together, place a single layer of florets on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Transfer the cauliflower into freezer bags or containers. Frozen cauliflower will last up to one year.
Yes, cauliflower is an ideal vegetable to consume if you're on a Keto-friendly diet. It's one of the lowest-carb vegetables, and its texture is similar to potatoes. You use cauliflower instead of other carb-heavy dishes such as mashed potatoes, rice, and pizza crust.