…And not for the first time recently, here is a post about both yarn and cauliflowers. This blog shall henceforth be renamed ‘Brassicas and Bobble-Stitch’ to better reflect its subject matter. Glad we’ve got that sorted.
Before we get on to the weighty matter of cauliflowers, let’s discuss the yarn, because that’s the exciting part of this post. Whilst the Stylecraft Blog-Tour-Bus rumbles on to another venue (it’s currently parked right outside the Patchwork Heart blog), the entries have been counted and a winner chosen randomly from yesterday’s yarn giveaway here at Brassicas and Bobble-Stitch. You should see the size and grandeur of this tour bus: it really is something to behold. It fair dwarfed our cottage when it pulled noisily into the village first thing yesterday morning, struggling to negotiate the tiny lane that leads to our home, and somewhat alarming our poor rural neighbours. Never let it be said that those Stylecraft folks slum it when they’re out on the road. And like all things Stylecraft, this vehicle is very very colourful.*
Actually, y’know, maybe I’ll stick to The Twisted Yarn as a name. I’ve become quite attached to it.
SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHO HAS WON THAT LOVELY LIMITED EDITION PACK OF TEN DELICIOUS SHADES OF YARN?? YES? YOU WOULD?!
Well… out of the 850 entries that were received, would you please stand up, SHIRLEY ELPRAMA from Belgium. Hurrah! Congratulations, Shirley. 🙂 This pack of colourful loveliness is just for you:-
As we speak, the Stylecraft sheep is being saddled up and this pack of heavenly hues attached to its back, so that it can begin its long, long journey south from Yorkshire, through the Channel Tunnel, across a small portion of France and into Belgium. It certainly has stamina, that sheep. Do please let us know when it arrives. Oh, and would you mind feeding it? Thanks awfully. By the way, it answers to the name of Monty.
And readers, if you do decide to knit the Carnival Bag, give me a shout, either here or on Ravelry. Of course I’m happy to answer questions and mop your fevered brow if the thing drives you nuts. (It’s not that hard, honest.)
But enough of that: we have significant cauliflowers to discuss. For when one has a new cauliflower experience, one of course wishes to share it with the entire internet. I really thought I was a cauliflower veteran: someone who knew a thing or two about brassicas. But then this evening I popped out with the Tyrannical Twinnage to one of our local farm shops in search of dinner ingredients. And I came home with two rather fabulous specimens, grown locally. (No I’m not talking about the twins.):-
Who knew that purple cauliflower was even a thing? What, you all knew? Well why on earth didn’t you tell me?
As for the specimen on the left, I think this is the Romanesque cauliflower that my mum, Mother Twisted, was referring to. Isn’t it exquisite in its fractalitious fabulousness? Mum, look! (Yes, I am indeed using my blog to communicate with my own family. Thank heavens we’re on happy, harmonious terms or this post could’ve got really awkward.)
I was curious about the interior of the purple cauliflower, though. Because a tiny cynical part of me wondered whether it had been spray-painted by the chaps at the farm shop. Are you interested too? Well here y’are:-
Properly purple, you see? And the strangest thing is that the normally-food-averse twinnage devoured most of the purple cauliflower, raw, within minutes. Weird.
*Um, I trust you’re not taking me too seriously. You do realize that there is no tour bus really? And that any stories I recount about drunken after-show parties with Stylecraft folk on the bus are entirely fiction?
I know about purple cauliflowers [and cabbages] but the fractal cauli is new – isn’t that fabulous! I should grow them just to admire the patterns I think.
Purple caulis, purple beans, purple broccoli (sprouting so perfect for kids to (literally) graze off the bush), yellow watermelon (inside), white strawberries, yellow raspberries, black or purple capsicums and tomatoes, and of course yellow, white, green, purple and black carrots. I guess it depends on just how many colours you want to crochet into your garden right? 😉
It’s so nice to have someone get excited about vegetable varieties! I have seen both of these (and the romanesque one really caught my fancy) but I have not bought any of them (bad timing each time I see them). Do they taste the same or are they a bit sweeter than the ordinary white cauliflower?
The romansco does taste sweeter and nicer than white cauliflower and the purple one must be better if the Twinnage eat it. But it’s the fascinating fractal shape that’s so interesting (and should be possible to crochet in very fine yarn, don’t you think, Daughter Twisted?).
Hello Mum! Crocheted fractals?! Yikes, no pressure then….
I can confirm that the purple one tastes like ordinary cauliflower, at least raw. Sadly, there is none left to cook. I haven’t the heart to cut in to the fractal cauliflower yet, but I like the sound of the sweetness. Arlingwoman, I hope you do try the Romanesque…
Thank you! Yes, the shape is fascinating–almost too nice looking to cut up.
Purple cauliflower! I’m sure that would go down well in this house. I must hunt some down. X
OK, so I could just about believe in the Stylecraft Tour Bus. But children *willingly* eating brassica? HA! Hahahahahaha! Oh how you make me laugh, Ms Twisted. 🙂
But just in case it’s true, I’m off to the farm shop tomorrow to get some of those magic purple cauliflowers…
I absolutely love reading your blog! You are always so witty! I am wondering if those cauliflowers taste any different from the “normal” (no alien looking) cauliflowers? Do not fear, you are not alone! I am a cauliflower lover myself! Happy cauliflowering!
There’s orange cauliflower, too, sold at regular grocery stores in the US! Here’s a link to a picture:
What’s the Deal with Orange and Purple Cauliflower?
http://www.thekitchn.com/look-purple-and-orange-cauliflower-ingredient-intelligence-33348
Yummy, low carb, and gorgeous! What’s not to like? Looks like the secret house project may need more yarn colors for veg!
Congrats to the lucky winner!
great vegetable,love the colors..
Wish you a fab weekend!
Lubbly jubbly Ms Twisted. Kids and Whoopie Goldburg love the colour purple. If they eat raw cauliflower because it is coloured, so much more the reason to grow/buy it methinks. A score for you and a score for nutrition 🙂
Whooaaa.. I haven’t ever seen purple or green cauliflowers ever.. The ones we get here in India are always almost white.. They look beautiful though.. Must have tasted equally good?? 😉