You could say that cauliflower is the new kale.
When B&G Foods Inc. bought Green Giant from General Mills in 2015 one of its first changes was to expand the cauliflower line to include mashed cauliflower, a frozen cauliflower-and-sweet-potato medley, AND cauliflower 'rice'. The brand accounts for more than a third of sales. For two years in a row Whole Foods Market Inc has seen double-digit growth in nationwide sales of the vegetable for their similar products as part of its 365 brand.
Culinary trends can be thanked for this - for years, chefs have used cauliflower because of its ability to be a blank canvas as it takes on any flavour - similar to chicken. Cauliflower is infiltrating menus all over the world thanks to 'Meatless Mondays' and the rise of low-carb, gluten-free and healthy eating trends. Auckland restaurant Gerome serves it as a whole. So where are all the innovative cauliflower products in the supermarket?
SupermarketNews has put together some ideas below to get supermarkets and suppliers inspired.
Green Giant Cauliflower Veggie Tots
Loaded with cauliflower, not potato, Green Giant Cauliflower Veggie Tots are a great alternative to tater tots and fries. There is one full serving of cauliflower in each serving, without any artificial flavours or preservatives. Available in the frozen aisle.
Green Giant Original with Olive Oil & Sea Salt Mashed Cauliflower
Each serving of our flavourful Olive Oil & Sea Salt Mashed Cauliflower has one full serving of cauliflower, no potato, and 45 percent* fewer calories than mashed potatoes. There are no artificial flavours or preservatives, and no guilt! *45% fewer calories than the leading brand of prepared mashed potatoes. Available in the frozen aisle.
Other variants include Broccoli & Cheese, Cheddar & Bacon, and Garlic & Herb.
Green Giant Riced Veggies Cauliflower Risotto Medley
Green Giant delicious Riced Cauliflower Risotto Medley is an exciting new cauliflower-based blend and can be enjoyed on its own or in your favourite recipes! Its Riced Veggies Cauliflower Risotto Medley has 85% fewer calories than rice.* Riced Veggies are gluten free, low calorie and come without sauce or seasoning so you can prepare them just the way you like them. *85% fewer calories than the leading brand of prepared white rice. Available in the frozen aisle.
Green Giant Riced Veggies Cauliflower with Lemon & Garlic
Green Giant delicious Riced Cauliflower with Lemon & Garlic is an exciting new cauliflower-based blend and can be enjoyed on its own or in your favourite recipes! Plus - its Riced Veggies Cauliflower with Lemon & Garlic has 80% fewer calories than rice!* Its Riced Veggies are gluten free, low calorie and come without sauce or seasoning so you can prepare them just the way you like them. *80% fewer calories than the leading brand of prepared white rice. Available in the frozen aisle.
Peas of Mind Cauliflower Fries
Ever wanted to dig in to a big bucket of fries without feeling guilty? Peas of Mind Cauliflower Fries are the 'veggie wedges' that have the same crispy texture and savoury flavour of fries, just minus the carbs! Available through Amazon however the price looks to be steep. Four 12-ounce bags are US$35.60.
Mezzetta Hot Cauliflower
Tender Grown Crisps Raw Leaf Cauliflower Flower Cheese
Plum Organics Stage 2 Eat Your Colors White, Organic Baby Food, Apple, Cauliflower & Leek
Togo Freeze-Dried Cauliflower Pearls
TRADER JOE'S CAULIFLOWER & BROCCOLI VEGETABLE PATTIES
Trader Joe’s Carrot & Pea Vegetable Patties and Cauliflower & Broccoli Vegetable Patties are not only delicious and nutritionally desirable, they’re literally jam-packed with vegetables – 85% of the ingredients are vegetables! In addition to their eponymous ingredients, their recipes include potatoes, egg white, cornstarch, and mild seasonings (Carrot & Pea also includes onions). What you taste is the veggies. And that, friends, is refreshing.
Serve them like burgers on a bun or English muffin or on a bed of greens. Heat one up for a quick afternoon snack (they can be prepared on the stove top or in a conventional oven) and eat it with a fork. They have 50 (Cauliflower & Broccoli) or 60 (Carrot & Pea) calories per patty – we think this makes them excellent snacking choices. If you have a little one who’s not so keen on veggies in their usual form, this new format might just be the ticket to vegetable happiness in your household. Their price will certainly bring you squeals of joy. We’re selling each seven ounce box of four Carrot & Pea Vegetable Patties or Cauliflower & Broccoli Vegetable Patties for $1.99, every day.
TRADER JOE'S KUNG PAO TEMPURA CAULIFLOWER
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!!!
TRADER JOE'S CAULIFLOWER PIZZA CRUST
Want more reason to put cauliflower products on shelves? Here is an interview with Lori Bigras director of marketing for Growers Express about their cauliflower crumbles.
