With cheese, roasted or added to a stir-fry... cauliflowers are a kitchen's friend

Cauliflower: A brassica, like cabbage and broccoli, cauliflower is a mass of tiny, tightly packed flower heads (called curds), which grow from a thick central stem to form a single, round head, cupped by green leaves. It has a firm, almost waxy texture, and a mild, delicate flavour. Most cauliflowers are white, but it's also possible to find green and purple varieties, as well as the sweeter Romanesco cauliflower, with its distinctive pointed florets. Like all brassicas, cauliflower smells very unpleasant if overcooked, so brief cooking is essential.

Availability: Mostly all year round.

The florets are great used raw in a salad or as part of a crudité selection served with dips.

Cooked cauliflower florets keep their shape best when steamed (5-10 mins) – remember to place them upright in the steamer. It can also be boiled (takes 5-10 mins for florets; around 10 mins for a whole cauliflower). For both cooking methods, test regularly with the tip of a knife to make sure they don't overcook. Cauliflower can be cut into steaks or wedges and grilled or barbecued so they pick up lots of flavour and char. Whole cauliflowers can be roasted and carved, or make a rice substitute.

Sourced locally across the Shoalhaven, Far South Coast and a little from farmers in the Illawarra. They are grown under clear skies and fresh air; hot sunny Summers and frosty Winters.

Our farmers use permaculture principles and their sowing, weeding and harvesting is all done by hand, without the use of  chemicals, pesticides or herbicides preferring green manure crops, compost and natural minerals for biological soil balancing.