Is the cauliflower raw or cooked?

Raw. Pulse fresh florets in a food processor until very fine—like ‘snowflakes’. No pre-cooking needed.

How far ahead can I prep this?

Chop the veg and make the dressing up to 1 day ahead. Store separately and toss just before serving. Dressed salad keeps well for ~1 day.

Can I swap the nuts or make it nut-free?

Yes—pistachios or pine nuts are great. For nut-free, use toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds for crunch.

Sunshine Mediterranean Cauli ‘Snowflake’ Salad

Name: Sunshine Mediterranean Cauli ‘Snowflake’ Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: cauliflower, florets only; red/purple cabbage, finely shredded; mini cucumbers (Persian/Japanese), finely diced; flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped; avocado, large, cubed; walnuts, toasted and chopped; feta cheese, crumbled; extra-virgin olive oil; lemon juice, freshly squeezed; Dijon mustard; Aleppo pepper or chilli flakes; dried oregano; garlic powder; fine sea salt; freshly ground black pepper; grilled chicken breast, sliced

Crunchy cauliflower ‘snowflakes,’ purple cabbage, cucumber, parsley, avocado, walnuts & feta in a zesty lemon-oregano dressing. Fresh, low carb & meal-prep friendly.

A Sunshine-Inspired Mediterranean Bowl ☀️🥗

This Sunshine Mediterranean Cauli ‘Snowflake’ Salad brings summer vibes to your table any time of year! Think crunchy cauliflower “snowflakes”, crisp purple cabbage, cucumber, parsley, avocado, and feta — all tossed in a bright lemon-oregano dressing.

It’s low carb, gluten-free, and vegetarian, yet full of flavor and texture. Whether served as a light lunch, a side dish, or topped with grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal, this salad is all about freshness and balance.

🥬 Why You’ll Love It

Crunchy & Colorful: Cauliflower and cabbage give it that perfect bite.
Zesty & Fresh: Lemon, oregano, and parsley make it shine.
Low Carb & High Fiber: A perfect balance for clean eating.
Meal Prep Friendly: Stays fresh and crisp for up to a day.

🥣 Step-by-Step Inspiration

1️⃣ Prep the Veg

Pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until super fine—like delicate snowflakes ❄️.
Add in finely shredded purple cabbage, diced cucumber, chopped parsley, and cubed avocado.

2️⃣ Add Crunch & Cheese

Fold in toasted walnuts (or swap with pistachios or pine nuts for a twist).
Crumble feta cheese over the top for that creamy, tangy finish.

3️⃣ Shake the Dressing

In a small jar, combine extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice & zest, Dijon mustard, oregano, Aleppo pepper or chilli flakes, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Shake well until it emulsifies — a little arm workout included 💪🍋.

4️⃣ Toss & Serve

Pour the dressing over your salad and toss gently to coat every bit.
Serve immediately for max crunch or let it sit 10–15 minutes for a softer, tabbouleh-like texture.
Top with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein! 🍤🍗

💡 Pro Tips

Process cauliflower very finely for that fluffy “snowflake” feel.
Toast nuts before chopping for deeper flavor.
Add dressing just before serving if you want a crisp texture.
For meal prep, store salad and dressing separately.

🧠 FAQs

Q: Is the cauliflower raw?
A: Yes! Pulse it fresh until fine and fluffy—no cooking needed.

Q: How far ahead can I prep it?
A: Up to one day ahead! Keep the dressing separate until serving time.

Q: Can I make it nut-free?
A: Absolutely. Swap in pumpkin or sunflower seeds for that perfect crunch.

🧮 Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 371 | Protein: 7.6g | Fat: 31.7g | Carbs: 19g | Fiber: 7.5g

💬 Community Love

Lina: “This is too cute! Colors and textures are 🤌” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Zee: “Made this in 10 minutes. So fresh!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kara: “Didn’t cook the cauli and it was perfect. Super fine ‘snow’ is the trick.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Audrey: “Prepped ahead and it stayed crunchy. New fave!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chyna: “Added cherry tomatoes—delicious twist!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✨ Fresh, zesty, and full of crunch — this cauliflower snowflake salad is sunshine in a bowl. 🌿☀️