UPDATED: Cauliflower of a Different Color

Updated at 9:13 a.m., March 6, with prices and lists of what's available.

Even if you aren't in market for what it's selling, there's always something interesting -- and usually colorful -- to see at the Weiser Family Farms stand. Like the cheddar cauliflower.

It's not cauliflower smothered with cheese, but a golden-hued variety that's only been available commercially since 2002. The Weiser stand, which is a regular at Sunday's market in the Alamitos Bay Marina, had some last week (see the photo at right) and may have more this morning, along with its other gourmet produce -- like its purple carrots and golden beets.

It's an accident of nature that was discovered growing alongside the white variety in a farmer's field about 30 years ago. It's also known as "orange" or "golden" cauliflower, but it has more going for it than a rich color. It's also more nutritious. The beta carotene content that makes it golden also gives it 25 times as much Vitamin A value as white cauliflower. (If that's not enough to get your kids to try it, maybe the opportunity to eat a "mutant" will.)

The flavor is also a bit milder and sweeter than the white kind, which along with its color would seem to make it a good choice for crudites. Of course, it's great steamed, just like other cauliflower. While I haven't tried to roast it yet, if the result is anything like the fried cauliflower that my family likes to get at the Middle Eastern restaurants on Second Street, it's sure to be good.

Like the other specialty (and mostly organic) produce at Weiser Family Farms, which counts among its clients restaurants like Spago and Campanile, you will pay more for cheddar cauliflower than you would for white cauliflower at other stands at Sunday's Harbor Area Farmers Market. Most of their winter vegetables are in the range of $2.50 to $3.50 per pound. On this morning (March 6) the cheddar cauliflower was selling at $3.50 per pound.

Also this morning, you'll find a nice selection of peas (English, snap and sugar) at the Smith Farms stand ($4 per pound), along with large heads of red leaf, green leaf and iceberg lettuce. All of them are organic and selling at $2 to $2.50 each.

If you are looking for Mardi Gras treats, you might stop by Mabel's Pralines. Aside from the pralines (which are available sugar-free), they have banana pudding.

And if you like to stop by Sunday's crafts fair at the marina: It's moved south, right next to the farmers market.

In abundance and looking very good at the Sunday market, around 8:45 a.m.:

• strawberries
• carrots
• broccoli
• cabbages (red and green)
• spinach
• lettuce (romaine, red leaf, butter) and mixed greens
• citrus fruits (navel oranges, cara caras, tangelos, satsumas, Page tangerines, lemons, grapefruit, pomelos)
• red grapes
• pomegranates
• cilantro
• beets
• brussels sprouts
• artichokes
• potatoes (several varieties)
• yams
• sweet potatoes
• garlic
• onions
• avocados

Also available:

• tomatoes
• green beans
• asparagus
• blackberries
• red raspberries
• blueberries
• parsnips
• mushrooms
• Romanesco broccoli
• baby cauliflower
• apples
• bok choy
• Chinese broccoli
• shallots

Harbor Area Farmers Market (Long Beach Southeast). Alamitos Bay Marina, on East Marina Drive, one-quarter mile south of East Second Street, just west of Pacific Coast Highway. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (though some vendors are ready to sell at 7 a.m.). www.goodveg.org.