Cauliflower Violetto Sicilia

Franchi - Cauliflower Violetto Sicilia

The Royal Sicilian: Cauliflower Violetto Di Sicilia

Bring a touch of Mediterranean drama to your winter garden with the Cauliflower Violetto Di Sicilia. This spectacular Sicilian heirloom produces stunning, deep violet-purple heads that stand out beautifully against the grey backdrop of a UK or Irish winter. It is revered for its incredible flavour, which is widely considered superior to standard white varieties—offering a sweet, mild taste that lacks the heavy "sulphur" smell often associated with boiling brassicas.

• Incredible Colour: The heads are rich in anthocyanins (the same antioxidant found in blueberries and red wine), giving them a vibrant purple hue.
• Gourmet Flavour: It is softer, more tender, and significantly sweeter than white cauliflower.
• Frost Sweetened: Like parsnips, this variety actually improves in flavour after a light frost, making it an ideal choice for winter harvesting.
• Hardy Heritage: Bred on the slopes of Sicily, it is robust and vigorous. While it loves the sun, it has adapted well to cool-climate growing and stands well in the winter garden.

Master Gardener's Tip: The Kitchen Chemist

Don't be alarmed by the "magic trick" in the kitchen! While the heads are a brilliant purple in the garden, the colour is water-soluble. When boiled or steamed, the anthocyanins break down, and the cauliflower will turn a bright, appetizing green. If you are determined to keep that royal purple colour for presentation, there are two secrets: serve it raw in thin shavings (carpaccio style) or roast it quickly with an acidic element like lemon juice or vinegar, which helps "lock in" the pink/purple pigments.

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