How to Harvest and Store Cauliflower

How to Harvest Cauliflower

Cut heads with a sharp knife leaving about 3 inches of stem to keep the florets intact. Keep enough wrapper leaves also intact to hold the head together.
A cauliflower plant produces one head and then it is done.

How do you keep cauliflower fresh in the refrigerator?
Will cauliflower regrow after harvest?
What does it mean to blanch cauliflower before harvesting?
How do I know when my cauliflower is ready to harvest?
Should I wash cauliflower before storing?
Why does my raw cauliflower stink?
How many heads of cauliflower do you get from one plant?
What can you not plant with cauliflower?
What do you do with cauliflower after harvest?
Can I freeze cauliflower without blanching it?
Why blanching is done in cauliflower?
Is blanching cauliflower necessary?

How do you keep cauliflower fresh in the refrigerator?

Storing:

Most grocery store cauliflower comes wrapped tightly in cellophane, which can trap moisture and promote rot. ...
Whole heads of cauliflower can be kept in a loosely sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for 4 to 7 days.

Will cauliflower regrow after harvest?

For all the work cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) demands of a gardener, it seems only fair that the harvest should last a few weeks. Unfortunately, cauliflower can be harvested only once. Once the mature head is harvested, new, edible heads do not form.

What does it mean to blanch cauliflower before harvesting?

Blanching is the simple practice of binding large outer leaves together over and around developing cauliflower heads, to prevent them from yellowing or browning and developing a bitter flavor due to an overabundance of sun exposure. Some older white varieties can even turn shades of blotchy purple.

How do I know when my cauliflower is ready to harvest?

Harvest/Storage

Plants are usually ready to harvest in about 50 to 100 days, depending on variety, or 7 to 12 days after blanching.
When the heads are compact, white, and firm, then it is time to harvest them. ...
Cut the heads off the plant with a large knife.

Should I wash cauliflower before storing?

Wash cauliflower only when you are ready to use it. Exposing it to excess moisture encourages mold growth. Try to minimize exposure to air by using airtight containers or plastic bags during storage to prevent dehydration and browning.

Why does my raw cauliflower stink?

That really bad smell is a surefire indicator that the cauliflower is no longer good to eat. Get rid of foul-smelling cauliflower immediately and don't take any chances with it.

How many heads of cauliflower do you get from one plant?

' Unlike broccoli, however, which produces multiple side shoots, cauliflower only produces a single head which means you have one chance to get it right. The main thing to remember is that the plant thrives in temperatures around 60-65 F. (16-18 C.)

What can you not plant with cauliflower?

Besides avoiding the combination of cauliflower, onion and beans, there are other plants that are not recommended for cauliflower companion planting. Peas and cauliflower do not mix well. The peas will stunt the growth of cauliflower. Strawberries are taboo too.

What do you do with cauliflower after harvest?

After harvesting your crop, you can dispose of the plants in your compost pile, as cauliflower does not usually produce side shoots or a second crop. Cauliflower, like most garden vegetables can be frozen for later consumption.

Can I freeze cauliflower without blanching it?

When properly prepared and stored (that is, blanched before freezing), cauliflower can keep in the freezer for up to 12 months without a change in taste or texture. When you're ready to cook with it, skip the thawing and toss it right into your recipe.

Why blanching is done in cauliflower?

Blanching is a technique used in vegetable growing. Young shoots of a plant are covered to exclude light to prevent photosynthesis and the production of chlorophyll, and thus remain pale in color.

Is blanching cauliflower necessary?

Does cauliflower have to be blanched? Technically, no. Blanching has nothing to do with head development or nutritional content. However, if you don't, the curds will be greenish brown rather than white and the flavor will be stronger, almost bitter.