Cauliflower & Calabrese

[Susiebelle]

I am struggling to identify the optimum time for harvest, I carefully make a daily check not knowing whether to cut or not and then the curds start to open telling me they are going over.   Is there an easy way telling? can anyone advise.

[Susiebelle]

[Tee Gee]

I know what you mean and I am afraid I don't have a specific answer.

I find that variety can also play a part in this decision as different varieties perform slightly differently..

I tend to keep a close eye on the size of the flower bud on broccoli & calabrese i.e. the head is made up of hundreds of these so when I see them beginning to swell I pick the head.

With cauli I tend to watch the colour and again the flower buds, but they are generally not as prominent as on broccoli/calabrese.

If you look very close and you can see a faint outline of the buds it is time you got picking.

But basically I find it is really a question of experience and keeping a watchful eye on them.

With cauli fold leaves over the curd this keeps the sun off the curd so they become less discoloured, and the shade created by the leaves prevents the curd from opening as quickly.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, hopefully someone else might have a better answer meaning; I will learn something too.

[tim]

As TG suggests, they'll always try to beat you to it!

My policy is to pick young - Calabrese at no more than 5" across. But if you do miss out, the stems - peeled - are actually the best part!

[allaboutliverpool]

As soon as they start to look as if they are losing the neat outline they must be pulled.

Preferably the day before, but that brings us back to the original question!

Hooray!! posting number 500.

[Susiebelle]

Many thanks - I don't feel quite so stupid now, once again its that thing called experience thats coming slowly.