Cauliflower

Chou-fleur

What it is

What you eat is a flower that failed — a head of aborted buds arrested before they could bloom, held in suspension by generations of selection. Louis XIV had it served at Versailles under the name chou de Chypre, after the island it reached France from.

In the kitchen

Roast it whole, or slice thick steaks from the core. Broken into florets it loses all the browning surface that makes it worth eating.

Goes with

Butter Nutmeg Cumin Turmeric Almond Parmesan Capers Lemon

Same species

Baek-kimchi Broccoli Brussels sprout Cabbage Cavolo nero Chinese broccoli

Also used with

Panch phoron Vadouvan

In season alongside

Hedgehog mushroom Arbutus berry Bintje potato Borlotti bean Butternut squash Celeriac

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