No. 3894 — Keeping Fresh Cauliflower
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 3894 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
Tie sound cauliflower heads with cords so they do not touch and hang from the ceiling of a cellar. Choose firm heads undamaged by frost and remove yellow leaves.
The author claims the heads can keep until Christmas.
Alternatively lift the plants with earth attached before frost and set them in a cellar in sand or an earthen bed.
Remove yellow leaves and loosely tie the remaining outer leaves above the heads.
Inspect frequently, removing leaves that begin to spoil; ventilate and dry the cellar in suitable dry weather, closing windows before sunset.
Use any heads showing decay at once or preserve them by salting or pickling. The author notes that small cauliflower heads can continue growing in the cellar.