It’s funny. When I was a kid, I don’t think that I was ever into tater tots. In fact, even as an adult, I struggled with them. Why are there all these little bits of potato in a ball? I found it texturally confusing. I’d just rather have french fries any day. Then I started to frequent a NW chain, Taco Time. It is the only place in Seattle where you can get a crunchy taco. And even though they are not the best crunchy tacos in the world, they satisfy a craving. Now, when you get a combo there, your tacos come with “Mexi-fries”, which are really just tater tots. I’m not sure what is “Mexi” about them, really. They’re pretty much just tots. Anyways, over the last few years, I’ve come to understand and really enjoy tater tots (as long as they’re really crunchy on the outside). It’s funny how opinions change.
So, one day I came across this recipe for cauliflower tots. It was being sold as a “low carb” alternative. Frankly, I don’t care about low carb dieting, especially regarding potatoes, but I do like cauliflower and thought it might be fun to try out.
And let me tell you, cauliflower tots are awesome! I know cauliflower is trendy right now as a low carb alternative. People are using it as rice and grilling it as steaks and such. But despite cauliflower being cool right now, its also delicious. These tots will disappear off of the plate so fast that no one will even have time to notice that there aren’t potatoes inside.
Cauliflower Tots
- 1.5 lb cauliflower florets
- 1 cup cheddar
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup panko
- 1 tsp creole seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
The first step is to steam the cauliflower. You can do this in a double boiler for 4-5 minutes, until soft, but not mushy. You can also do this in the microwave.
Preheat oven to 400.
Chop down the cauliflower in to tiny pieces, like the little bits in tater tots! Combine all remaining ingredients. On a foil lined, oil sprayed, cookie sheet, roll little logs, about 1 TB each and place them on the cookie sheet.
Bake 16-18 minutes, or until golden. For even coloring, you can flip halfway through. If you don’t, they’ll just be crispier on the bottom.
