Cauliflower leaves

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

leaf · vegetable

The leaves wrapping the head: the same species as kale, and the same glucosinolates.

Origin

Near East

Season (United States)

September to June

Preparation

Roasted in the oven with a drizzle of oil, they make chips; the ribs cook like chard. It grows at ground level and catches the splashes of watering: washing it leaf by leaf, in plenty of water, beats a quick rinse of the whole bunch. Short steaming keeps its glucosinolates; long boiling carries them off. Most of its goitrogens go with cooking, even a short one.

Molecules

Beta-carotene (vitamin A) · Lutein and zeaxanthin · Glucoraphanin → sulforaphane · Glucobrassicin → I3C · Vitamin C · Vitamin K1 · Calcium · ChlorophyllIn small amounts, not counted Flavonols (quercetin) · Folates (B9)What slows things down Goitrogens

Did you know?

The greengrocer often strips them off before selling — you only have to ask to keep them.