Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Tots

We eat cauliflower and broccoli almost every week and though I love both vegetables, I am always looking for new healthy ways to prepare them. These little puffs of cauliflower goodness taste very much like cheesy potato tots, so I am pretty sure if you didn’t tell the kids they were eating cauliflower they would love them too! I made these tots a couple of times now, and though they are best enjoyed the day they are made, they are also great on-the-go snacks a day or two later. The first time I made these tots I made them according to the recipe below and thought they were great, but the next time I made them I sprayed olive oil into the muffin cups and sprinkled in whole wheat breadcrumbs. Both versions were good, though the breadcrumbs added a little crunch in the coating. I used a regular muffin tin and made 9 good sized cauliflower tots, but you could also use a mini muffin pan to make bite sized ones. These tots are great as a veggie side dish, a grab and go snack, or are perfect on a buffet table or for a potluck get-together.

• These cauliflower tots are baked instead of fried cutting down the amount of fat needed.
• Cauliflower is low in fat and carbs but high in dietary fiber, folate, water, and vitamin C.
• Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable and like the other cruciferous vegetables, it is known for high concentration of cancer-fighting chemicals called glucosinolates.