Everything You Need To Know To Keep Cauliflower Fresher For Longer

Cauliflower has become popular in the culinary world thanks to foods like cauliflower rice and cauliflower crust pizza. Unfortunately, cauliflower does not last very long on the shelf, so fans of the vegetable have had to come up with the best ways to prolong their lives. Read on for some great tips to prolong the life of any cauliflower.

Should Raw Cauliflower Go In The Fridge?

If you want your cauliflower to last the longest, then the best place to store it is in the fridge. Refrigeration slows down the spoiling process and gives you more days of freshness. You can also store it on the counter, but it's not recommended.

How to Store Cauliflower in the Fridge

Cauliflower will keep well in a dry environment with lots of airflow. If you bought your cauliflower whole and unwrapped, store it loosely covered or in a perforated bag with the stem side facing north. Storing it with the stem up and florets down prevents moisture from collecting on the florets, accelerating spoilage.

Sometimes, a whole cauliflower gets sold shrink-wrapped or tightly packed in plastic. This barrier traps the moisture while keeping the delicate, crumbly florets in. If the plastic is tied off, undo the knot and keep the cauliflower loosely covered.

If your cauliflower comes precut in a bag, carefully poke three or four small holes in the bag with a sharp knife. The best way to ensure that cauliflower lasts long is to keep it away from moisture at all costs. This also means holding off on washing it until right before you use it.

How to Freeze Cauliflower

Cauliflower can be frozen for up to a year. However, freezing cauliflower involves more than just throwing a whole head of cauliflower in the freezer.

Begin by cutting away the leaves and stems. Then, check the head for any brown spots, and if you see any carefully cut them away. Next, core your cauliflower and cut it into bite-sized florets. Meanwhile, set a large pot of heavily salted water to boil and a large bowl of ice water. Place cauliflower in a sieve and rinse. Once the water is boiling, put in all the cauliflower and boil for about 3 minutes.

After, gently use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to the ice water. While it cools, line two sheet pans with tea towels, then transfer the cauliflower to the trays. The drying should only take a few minutes. Scoop them up in the towels and then line the sheet trays with wax paper or a Silpat.

Carefully spread the florets onto the trays so that they're not touching. Then place in the freezer and let freeze solid, or at least 3 hours. Once the cauliflower is fully frozen, move it to a freezer-safe and labeled zip-top bag. Freezing on a sheet tray first, and afterwards in a bag ensures that the cauliflower florets won't stick together as they freeze and make a giant cauliflower rock