My husband’s favourite vegetable is cauliflower and he often brings one home from a shopping expedition. It’s not unusual to have 2 a week. I have many ways of using cauliflower, but invariably have the cauliflower leaves left as husband won’t eat them. Not even if I’ve thoroughly disguised them in a curry or something. So it’s always me that has to use them up.

Is cauliflower good for you?

All vegetables are powerhouses of nutrition and it’s all but impossible to eat too many of them. Most people would benefit hugely from upping their vegetable intake. Cauliflower are full of vitamins and minerals, lots of fibre and even provide protein.

Where do cauliflower leaves come from

When you buy a cauliflower, it usually comes as the white curd, surrounded by green leaves with thick white stems.

The white florets are the part that we all know and love. Many people just eat that part, and throw away everything else. But the leaves and stems are very nutritious and taste delicious.

If you are lucky enough to have a market nearby, with a green grocery stall, they often chop off a lot of the leaves and stems and may even give them to you for nothing. Or green grocer shops might do the same. It’s just waste to them. It’s always worth asking, they can only say no.

Cauliflower straight from the ground have a great many more leaves, which have been chopped off long before they reach the shops. If you know anyone who grows cauliflowers, they may let you have the leaves – although they are more likely than most to use them themselves.

What can I do with cauliflower leaves

Now I do like the leaves, I would even say I prefer them to the florets. Same as broccoli really. We’re a bit Jack Sprat and his wife like that. I eat the stems, himself eats the florets.

But you actually get more cauliflower leaves than you do florets, so I’m always looking for ways to use them.

• Sometimes, I strip off the green leaves from the stem and use them as I would use cabbage leaves.
• Then use the stem, sliced up in a stir fry, a curry, a casserole or soup, or just as a vegetable side.
• I often chop them and use in soup as I can use up a lot that way. I especially like cauliflower leaves soup with turmeric, ginger, garlic and coconut. Yum!
• They are lovely cooked and eaten as a vegetable, either with cauliflower florets, or separately.
• Use cauliflower leaves or broccoli stalks in a cheese sauce instead of florets.
• Drizzle with oil, season, and sprinkle with curry spices, then roast in a hot oven. My favourite way is with tandoori spice.
• One day, I decided to shred the latest lot to use in a soup, and once I had done it, I realised what a useful item had been created.
  • I had some that day, just as they were, in a salad. They taste vaguely green and a little like salad leaves.
  • Use in the soup, as was intended
  • Steam and use as a vegetable
  • Cover with a cheese sauce
  • Cover with a tomato sauce, top with cheese

NB – Cons of cauliflower leaves!

I must warn you though. I made the shreds and put them in a glass bowl, covered them with a plate, and a tea-towel, and left them on the worktop overnight – it was a cool day – intending to use the shreds the following day.

Well, my goodness! When I came downstairs the next day, the cabbagey smell was pretty strong! So treat with caution and make sure you use them, or bag and freeze, the same day if you can, or be prepared for the consequences!

Other ways to use cauliflower

I love this tomato stewed cauliflower. Simple and very delicious

Kounoupithi Yiahni or Tomato Stewed Cauliflower. A traditional Greek food

 

The batter on these cauliflower florets is simply amazing – what a wonderful dish to serve

Kounoupidi tiganitó or Greek Fried Cauliflower

 

Cauliflower leaves can be used to make a pesto which tastes amazing!

Cauliflower Leaves Pesto

 

This is another way of using cauliflower leaves in soup. This version is from a weekly meal plan

Cauliflower and chick pea soup with little dumplings