In Season: Cauliflower season begins in October and extends through April. However, many markets carry it year-round.

What to Look For: Look for creamy white, unblemished heads with tight florets and fresh-looking leaves. In season, cauliflower can also be found with bright-orange or purple florets.

How to Store: When wrapped tightly in plastic, cauliflower heads can be refrigerated for three to five days.

Cauliflower becomes tender and sweet after roasting. Crispy breadcrumbs flavored with lemon zest, thyme, and garlic make this a knockout side dish with fish or steak.

Roasted cauliflower gets bursts of sweetness from raisins, and rich crunch from toasted almonds. A drizzle of sherry vinegar livens things up.

Cauliflower with cheese sauce is a perennial favorite. Choose nutty Gruyere, creamy fontina, or tangy goat cheese to blend into this simple, creamy sauce.

Cauliflower is roasted with red onion and garlic then tossed with corkscrew pasta and topped with toasted breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. It takes only 10 minutes of prep time to make this satisfying vegetarian main dish.

Just a few ingredients -- cauliflower, shallots, and vegetable stock -- transform into an easy vegetarian soup. A garnish of toasted bread cubes and parsley leaves adds the finishing touch.

A flavorful sauce of hazelnuts, lemon zest, garlic, and rosemary complements roasted cauliflower and manchego cheese in these impressive pies. Serve as a dinner party main dish or a comforting lunch.

This easy pasta dinner calls for cauliflower, anchovies, and red-pepper flakes, a trio of ingredients often combined in classic Italian cooking. If you don't have orecchiette on hand, use penne or any other short pasta shape.

High-fiber, low-calorie cauliflower puree is a wonderful substitute for mashed potatoes. The only fat in this creamy dish is a bit of sour cream.

Lentils and cauliflower seasoned with a curry of cumin, turmeric, and coriander make a richly flavorful main-course stew. A tangy topping of red onion and cucumber quick-pickled in vinegar and lime juice provides the perfect counterpoint.

In this recipe, cauliflower's mild but distinct flavor is enhanced by a sauce comprised of brown butter, roasted hazelnuts, lemon juice, and a sprinkling of chives. Be sure to monitor the butter carefully so it browns but doesn't burn.

Cauliflower is elevated to bubbling, golden-brown heights when paired with Belgian endive and small pasta shapes, then covered in a rich sauce. Fresh breadcrumbs and Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses top the gratin.

Mild cauliflower is enhanced by the peppery bite and bright-green hue of watercress. This easy pureed soup is vegetarian-friendly.

Florets of broccoli and cauliflower are roasted with garlic and thin slices of lemon. This easy, attractive side dish requires only 10 minutes of prep time.

Rich, nutty brown butter, sage, Parmesan cheese, and plenty of fresh parsley make a knockout sauce for roasted cauliflower and linguine. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts or almonds for extra crunch.

Roasted cauliflower gets the tangy addition of capers, red-wine vinegar, and mustard. Serve this flavorful side dish with any simple roast meat or fish.

Cauliflower bakes in a creamy Parmesan and Gruyere cheese sauce topped with breadcrumbs. This is comfort food at its finest.

Garlic, ginger, fresh mint, and lime juice lend their bright flavors to roasted cauliflower. This simple, impressive side dish is inspired by the flavors of Indian cooking.

The bold, sunny flavors of Sicilian cuisine dominate this pasta dish. Raisins, anchovies, capers, and saffron are perfect partners to cauliflower.

Gruyere cheese, cream, and chestnuts form a rich sauce for cauliflower. Serve this impressive side dish at a holiday dinner.

Cauliflower and curry are natural partners, and they really shine in this simple soup. Try serving this soup with toasted ham and cheese sandwiches for a hearty lunch or dinner.

High-heat roasting caramelizes the cauliflower, making it rich and sweet. Here, it's tossed with spicy jalapeno dressing and fresh cilantro.

With red onion, capers, fresh parsley, and lemon zest, there's no shortage of flavor in this cauliflower and pasta dish. Serve it as an easy vegetarian meal any night of the week.