How to clean and prepare cauliflower before cooking

Cleaning cauliflower / gobi is a must before using it in any recipe

You will find here instructions about how to clean and prepare cauliflower before cooking.

We all wash all the vegetables before cooking. Cauliflower needs extra care in cleaning as gobi / cauliflower may contain dirt or tiny insects that needs to be washed carefully

Why clean cauliflower?

Even when you are using a organically grown cauliflower, wash it anyway to clear away dirt as the cauliflower head has a lot of tiny places to collect impurities before it reached your kitchen.

It is quite possible that your cauliflower does not contain any dirt or insects but it may still contain some invisible chemicals / pesticides that were used to keep the insects away.

In such a case too it is better to clean / wash the cauliflower carefully.

I like to eat cauliflower dishes as well as raw cauliflower but I eat it only after cleaning it with the process given below.

Choosing - Buying cauliflower

Take proper care before choosing a cauliflower. Choose a white and clean looking cauliflower which does not have any blemishes.

Too yellow or brownish spots says that the cauliflower is not fresh.

How to cut, clean and prepare cauliflower for before cooking or eating raw

Cauliflower head

What you need for cauliflower cleaning process

A cauliflower head
A large deep pan to hold cauliflower florets
Water - enough to cover all cauliflower
Salt - to add to hot water
Cold water - to wash finally before using in cooking.
A sharp knife
Colander or sieve

Cutting and cleaning cauliflower

Remove leaves from the bottom of the cauliflower
Cut the long stem with a sharp knife. Cut the stem close to the cauliflower.
You may break the florets with hand or cut them with a knife.
If you find that the florets are too large for what you want to make, break or cut them in smaller pieces convenient for the dish you are planning to make.

Washing cauliflower before cooking

Heat water in a pan. Water should be hot but not boiling.
Add some salt and add all the cauliflower pieces in the hot water. Switch the stove off.
Cover the pan and leave it for about 5 to 8 minutes. You may see the dirt and tiny insects floating in water if there are any.

Cauliflower in water

Remove cauliflower from hot water using a slotted spoon or you may pour the warm water and cauliflower on a large colander to separate water, and drain well.
Hold the colander under running water or pour the cold water over the cauliflower to remove any dirt sticking.
Put the florets on a thick towel to dry them.

You will find the difference in color of the cauliflower, it will look cleaner and whiter. Now the cauliflower is ready to cook.