Roasted Curried Cauliflower With Cucumber Raita

Last Wednesday we picked up our last CSA share until the spring. And Saturday we had our first full-fledged snowstorm of the season. Sigh. This time of year makes me miss Berkeley quite a bit.

But enough whining. On to the food. The final haul from Hearty Roots Farm included this lovely little cauliflower. I've always been quite susceptible to the unusual, earthy beauty of the brassica family - cauliflower, romanesco, cabbage - each one so unique and fascinating-looking.

I decided that the proper way to pay homage to this beautiful brassica was by tossing it with a liberal amount of ground cumin, curry powder, salt and olive oil and roasting it with thick slices of red onion.

Roasting is one of my favorite ways of preparing cauliflower because it brings out the sweetness and enhances its slightly nutty flavor. It's downright addictive, even without the addition of curry powder. Combine the two and you've got the culinary equivalent of crack-cocaine (or so I imagine - my youth was not quite that adventurous.)

I served it with jasmine rice, a cooling, creamy cucumber raita and a smattering of mango chutney.

'Twas easy, tasty and satisfying. But I have to say that the leftovers we ate for lunch the following day tasted even better.

Roasted Curried Cauliflower

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

Directions

1. Toss the cauliflower with the spices, onion, garlic and olive oil until well coated. Turn out onto a thick baking sheet in a single layer and roast, turning several times, for 35-45 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork.

2. While you're waiting for the cauliflower to roast, make the raita and the rice. For the raita, see below. Prepare the rice according to the instructions for whatever type you're using.

3. Serve warm and hope you have enough for leftovers the next day!

Cucumber Raita

Serves 4

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups plain, whole milk yogurt (use organic)

* 1/3 - 1/2 cucumber, peeled and cut into dice

* 1 clove of garlic, minced or pressed

* Sea salt to taste

* Black pepper to taste

* A handful of fresh cilantro and/or mint, washed, dried and chopped (optional)

Directions

Mix the garlic, herbs, salt and pepper into the yogurt and thin with a little milk or water to the desired consistency. Stir in the cucumber slices and herbs, cover and let sit in the fridge for several hours if you can (the flavor gets better with time, particularly if you use the herbs).