IN SEASON IN JUNE

There is sexier produce coming into season this month, like cherries and strawberries, but our focus is on the lowly cauliflower - misunderstood, often ignored and, dare I say, sometimes disliked. Nevertheless, this vegetable maintains a loyal fan base.

Cauliflower traces its ancestry to the wild cabbage, a plant thought to have originated in ancient Asia Minor, which resembled kale or collards more than the vegetable that we now know it to be. The cauliflower went through many transformations and reappeared in the Mediterranean region, where it has been an important vegetable in Turkey and Italy since at least 600 B.C. It gained popularity in France in the mid 16th century and was subsequently cultivated in Northern Europe and the British Isles. The United States, France, Italy, India and China are countries that produce significant amounts of cauliflower.
Vancouverites can take pleasure in the milky, sweet, almost nutty flavor of cauliflower while it’s at its peak between now and November. Thanks to Don Genova , Vancouver writer, broadcaster and foodie for these fun and elegant recipes :
. Bob Blumer’s Cauliflower Popcorn
. Walnut Roasted Cauliflower
. Smoked Black Cod Cauliflower Puree