Pickled cauliflower in glass jar

Once you start growing cauliflower, it is important to find ways to store and preserve cauliflower so that it can be enjoyed for an extended period of time. Below are some of the most effective methods for storing and preserving cauliflower from your garden.

To preserve cauliflower, don’t wash it first. Remove most of the leaves, then wrap it in a moist cloth or paper towel, and seal the bundle inside of a perforated plastic bag. Place the package into your refrigerator’s vegetable crisper drawer to maintain its humidity level; this will keep it fresh for up to four weeks! However, note that stored cauliflower emits an intense scent. If you want to preserve cauliflower longer, try the methods below.

1. Freeze fresh cauliflower florets or stalks to preserve them for later use. Simply blanch the cauliflower pieces in boiling water for a minute or two, then transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Finally, drain and pat dry before placing in a freezer-safe container. The cauliflower should keep for several months in the freezer.

2. Pickle fresh cauliflower by cooking it in brine (salt water) and vinegar until tender, then put it into jars with spices such as mustard seeds, coriander seeds, red pepper flakes, and garlic. This is a great way to preserve cauliflower for use in salads or sandwiches throughout the year, and can in fact be stored for up to a year.

3. Make fermented or lacto-fermented cauliflower by blending raw, chopped cauliflower with salt, water, spices, whey (or another acid such as lemon juice or vinegar), and other vegetables such as carrots and onions. This delicious, probiotic-rich method can be stored in your refrigerator for up to a year.

4. Try dehydrating raw cauliflower by first slicing it into thin strips, then sprinkling with salt and herbs before drying at 200 degrees F until crisp. Dehydrated cauliflower can be used as a crunchy snack or as a topping for soups and other dishes.

5. Can cauliflower by boiling it in salt water until tender, then packing into sterilized glass jars and pouring hot brine over the cauliflower to cover it completely. Seal the lid of the jar and store in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to open and eat the cauliflower. Canned cauliflower will keep for up to a year, sometimes longer.

In addition to these methods, you can also experiment with other ways of preserving and storing cauliflower, such as making cauliflower kraut. Just be sure to thoroughly research any method before trying it out so that you know how best to preserve the flavor.

What’s your favorite way to preserve cauliflower? Let us know in the comments below.