The pros: Trader Joe's Organic Rainbow Cauliflower is new and adds to a growing list of cauliflower products. This is a solid choice if you are looking for a side.
The cons: While cauliflower may help you feel full, there doesn't seem to be much fiber in this stuff.
The verdict: How did Trader Joe's shift from Cookie Butter everything to cauliflower everything so quickly? It seems like we have gone from one culinary extreme to the other. Now, if you've been observing the veggies available at Trader Joe's there is also another theme that is worth noting: rainbow colored food. Not in the unnatural sense like these bagels, but in a completely natural way. I recently got a chance to try Colorful Carrot Coins and Rainbow Potatoes. Before that was the seasonal Rainbow of Honey. It seems that we as consumers have shifted our tastes from decadent to decadently hued. It seems that whimsy has taken over. Trader Joe's isn't alone in this. Just think to Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino and the commotion that started.
Regardless, it seems the cauliflower has now found the culinary spotlight and is the new in food. In this past year alone cauliflower was featured as a healthier alternative to stuffing, stir fry, as a mash, as a refrigerated riced product, a seasonal dip, and as pizza crust. And that list isn't even comprehensive to all the cauliflower creations on the shelves. Now, what makes this stand out is the whimsy of many colors of cauliflower in one bag. If you were to attempt to make this on your own, then you will need several heads of cauliflower. One in each color to be exact. Odds are, unless you have a large household that probably isn't going to work. So this bag might be the next best thing.
For $2.99 you are getting one pound of cut cauliflower awaiting your culinary talents. I opted to bake mine in the oven. With a bit of salt, pepper, and olive oil they came out perfectly fine. Perfectly roasted cauliflower. They retained their color as well. But there is one thing that needs to be mentioned. While there was lots to looks at visually, once in your mouth they all tasted pretty much the same. Just like regular cauliflower. Now, if you have vegetable resistant children or want to make this looks like a restaurant style meal in terms of keeping it fancy. By all means.
Otherwise, this is pretty much the same price as the frozen grilled cauliflower and is the same size. Both taste like cauliflower, but this comes with a side of whimsy. If you can't get enough of cauliflower, then this is a safe bet to reach for.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The bag of Trader Joe's Organic Rainbow Cauliflower:
The nutritional information and ingredients:
How Trader Joe's describes this product:
How to prepare:
After being baked in the oven with some olive oil, salt and pepper you get:
A closer look at Trader Joe's Organic Rainbow Cauliflower:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Organic Rainbow Cauliflower again.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
omg! this looks so cool. I cannot wait to try
Hey John! They're worth a try if you normally enjoy cauliflower. Thanks for stopping by.
I love your blog!! great content!!!!
Hey Joanna! Thanks so much. I appreciate readers like you stopping by!
Hi, first I’d recommend roasting it directly on the pan, and for a few extra minutes, the more golden brown the tastier ( even a few black spots is ok)
Second, you say cauliflower doesn’t have a ton of fiber, but the thing to look for in foods is the fiber to carb ratio. Worst case scenario you don’t want to go beyond 20-1 (carbs-fiber) so cauliflower having a 4-1 is REALLY good.
While all cauli certainly tastes the same regardless of color, they each provide different phyto-chemical.
I like the grilled cauli, but probably enjoyed the rainbow slightly more.
Thanks for the reviews! And the heads up on the rainbow carrot coins...going to look for them tomorrow!
Hey Josh! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your insight. Curiosity got the better of me with taste testing out the different colors. Just to give you a quick heads up, I haven't seen the Carrot Coins at my local TJs recently. But there are plenty of good substitutes, they do have an inexpensive bag of carrots of many colors or Les Petites Carrots of many colors where are super presentable but pricey. Both are good. To get something similar tasting, just slice the carrots, and mix in some olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme. You'll get something pretty close, just slightly more effort. If you do happen to find them, I'd love to hear what you think. Your comments are welcome here :).
You are correct, no frozen rainbow carrots. And yes, I do like the raw rainbow carrots. My go to recipe is Alton Brown’s glazed carrots where you use ginger ale as the glaze. YUM!
I have tired the Path of Life Rainow Cauliflower you are right no distinct taste all taste the same but yet still good. I would buy them again. It makes me feel as I am getting most of my colors in.
Thanks for sharing Glynis!