Produce Briefs...
Galia Melon
The Galia melon has a lightly netted golden yellow rind with a pale glacial green succulent flesh that has a signature spicy sweet flavor with tropical and perfumed aromatics.
Sharlyn Melon
The Sharlyn melon has a cracked skin with tan and yellow-orange coloring. Superficially resembling an elongated Cantaloupe, the Sharlyn does not possess the sweet unctuous flavor of Cantaloupes, rather a more restrained balance of sweetness
Seasons/Availability
Baby White cauliflower peaks during the fall and winter seasons.
Current Facts
Baby White cauliflower, is a member of the Brassica family. Cauliflower's relatives include broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, rutabagas, turnips, kohlrabi, radishes and various others such as seakale and true cresses. There are well over one hundred different varieties of cauliflower ranging in color from White to Orange to Green and Purple, however, ninety percent of commercial cauliflower are White varieties.
Description/Taste
Baby White cauliflower is the young petite version of its mature counterpart. It is made up of tightly bound clusters of florets that form a petite heads, similar to that of baby broccoli. The clusters sprout from stems which are attached to a singular central white trunk. The stems and trunk are firm and tender and the florets have a dense yet soft and crumbly texture. It's flavor is mild with subtle cruciferous and nutty sweet nuances, a taste which is amplified when roasted. Baby cauliflower lacks some of the bitterness that can often be found in larger cauliflower. The entire cauliflower, its leaves, trunk, stems and florets are all edible.
Nutritional Value
Baby White cauliflower provides a fair amount of vitamin A, folate, calcium, potassium and selenium. It is also high in both fiber and vitamin C, with a half cup of florets providing nearly half of ones daily requirement of vitamin C.
Applications
Excellent in both raw and cooked preparations Baby White cauliflower can be roasted, steamed, fried or sauteed. Poaching it in a combination of milk and water will help to keep the florets white. The petite size of baby White cauliflower florets are perfect for adding to omelets, pasta, pizza and stir-fries. Use whole heads of baby cauliflower on crudite trays or roast whole and serve as a main vegetable side dish. Its smaller size also makes it ideal for pickling. To store, keep in a perforated plastic bag and refrigerate in crisper drawer. Use promptly after purchase for optimum quality.
Geography/History
Baby White cauliflower requires a lot of work to enhance its aesthetic qualities, the outer leaves of White cauliflower have to be gathered around the bud and meticulously hand-tied to protect it from the sun's damaging rays. The plant's flowers are hermaphrodite meaning they have both male and female organs. Bees pollinate the vegetable which makes the plant self-fertile.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby White Cauliflower. One
is easiest, three is harder.
