November · San Diego
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a cool-season crop, and it's sweeter and denser now than at any time in summer. Roasted hard, it turns nutty and golden at the edges.
How to choose it
- Tight, creamy-white curds with no brown spots
- Heavy for its size
- Fresh, green leaves hugging the head
Buy this much: 1 head for the farro bowls.
Sold by the head. A heavier head for the same price is more cauliflower.
During the week
- Crisped in the air fryer for the farro bowls
- Florets in the minestrone or the white beans, if you have extra
On a weekend
Leftover florets, crisped in a skillet, under a fried egg.
One thing worth learning
Cauliflower is mostly water, so it browns only when it has room. Spread it out in one layer, in the air fryer or on a pan, with space around each piece; crowded, it steams and stays pale.