One product at Trader Joe’s has been catching my eye for a while: the colorful bag of Trader Joe’s Organic Rainbow Cauliflower. I couldn’t resist admiring the image on the package of purple, orange, green, and white cauliflower florets, so on a recent shopping trip I decided to buy a bag.
At $2.99 for a 16-oz. bag at the time of publication, it’s not the cheapest frozen cauliflower you’ll ever find in a store. It does get points for being unique, though.
One bag contains about five 1-cup servings (85 grams), with 30 calories per serving. One serving also contains 1 gram (4% of your daily value) of dietary fiber, 2 grams of protein, and 240 mg (6% DV) of Potassium.
Ingredients are organic green cauliflower, organic orange cauliflower, organic purple cauliflower, and organic white cauliflower.
Trader Joe’s Organic Rainbow Cauliflower nutrition information and ingredients. (Click to enlarge.)
It’s certified organic by Quality Assurance International and is a product of Ecuador. The package states the cauliflower is grown in “fertile volcanic soil in the shadwo of Cotopaxi at high elevation in the Central Andes mountains of Ecuador” and that the florets are “hand-trimmed.”
There are three ways to cook the cauliflower: stove top, conventional oven, or microwave.
To prepare on the stove top, remove all packaging and place in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir until steam and moisture evaporate, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, season as desired, and continue to stir until florets turn golden, about 5 minutes longer. Serve right away.
To prepare in a conventional oven, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Remove all packaging. Place cauliflower in a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet. Place on center rack of oven and roast until florets turn golden, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve right away.
To prepare in a 1200-watt microwave, remove all packaging and place in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and microwave on high 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 minutes. Remove right away, season, and serve. Be aware that microwave cook times may vary depending on oven wattage.
I opted to cook my cauliflower in the microwave. It was still cold after 4 minutes, and I ended up cooking it for around 2 additional minutes. I stirred in some butter and shredded Parmesan cheese before serving. Its colorful appearance aside, it tastes like normal cauliflower, and the pieces are generously sized. I probably won’t buy it all the time because of the cost, but it’s nice to serve occasionally, especially if you want to impress people around the table, or if you have picky eaters who might be enticed by the rainbow colors.
The Verdict:
Trader Joe’s Organic Rainbow Cauliflower is a bit pricey but adds some fun color to the dinner table. It took a little extra time in my microwave beyond what the instructions called for, but otherwise it was a nice addition to family dinner.
