Without sourness, there could be no sweetness, and vice versa. Experiencing one creates the perspective necessary to appreciate the other, to truly recognize the full spectrum of flavors between the extremes. Finding balance between such starkly contrasted tastes is rare, but highly sought after judging by the popularity of the sweet and sour sauces found splashed across every generic Chinese takeout menu in America. Something about that acidic twang and its sugary foil brings us back for bite after bite, no matter the vehicle, be it protein or vegetable. Asian cultures don’t have a monopoly on this culinary game, though, despite their domination in the field.

Italian agrodolce has a sharp yet sugared character all its own, typically created by a combination of a vinegar reduction and dried fruits. It’s great as a glaze for an entree, like pan-seared tofu or tempeh, or tossed with fresh pasta for a side, but today I’m using it to kick off a party with a wallop of bold flavor.

Everyone’s favorite vegetable du jour, cauliflower, comes in a full spectrum of colors far more brilliant than the average white floret would suggest. Roasted with just a touch of olive oil, salt, and pepper, the simplicity of that preparation is hard to beat, but you can easily step up your starter game with this stellar sauce. In this unconventional approach, briny capers join the fun to turn the dial to 11, but finely chopped green olives could make a fabulous, more mild understudy.

My favorite serving suggestion involves bread. Wide open planes of thick toasted bread or more dainty slices of baguette, first smeared with cashew ricotta for a rich, creamy base which elegantly cuts through these sharp contrasts.

If you’re not crazy about pairing fruit with savory vegetables, I hear you. I too would have given this combination the side eye not long ago. Suspend disbelief long enough take a chance; unlike the cloying and syrupy renditions of sweet and sour that turned me away in the past, this one, like life itself, is all about finding beauty in balance.

Yield: Makes 6 - 8 Servings

Roasted Rainbow Cauliflower Agrodolce

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Roasted with just a touch of olive oil, salt, and pepper, cauliflower meets briny capers in this boldly colored and flavored side.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 Pounds Purple, White, Green, and/or Orange Cauliflower Florets (About 3 – 4 Small Heads Total)
• 6 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• 3/4 Cup Jumbo Raisin Medley or Golden Raisins
• 1/4 Cup Sherry Vinegar
• 1/4 Cup Capers, Drained
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Parsley, Minced

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets, garlic, oil, salt, and
   pepper together until thoroughly combined and evenly seasoned. Arrange
   in a single layer on a large baking sheet, or divide between two baking
   sheets if needed. Place in the center of the oven and roast until golden
   brown and fork tender; about 20 – 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, mix the vinegar,
   capers, and raisins and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer
   gently until all the liquid has absorbed into the fruit.
4. Toss the roasted cauliflower with the vinegared raisins, along with the minced parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Napoleon Nonpareil Capers, 8 Ounce
• 
  Trader Joe's Jumbo Raisin Medley, 16 oz NET WT
• 
  Sherry Wine Vinegar (Vinagre de Jerez) - 1 bottle, 25.4 fl oz

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 195Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 251mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 5gSugar: 26gProtein: 3g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimates.