LYNNFIELD — Moms and dads should no longer have any trouble hiding veggies in their children’s food. At MarketStreet Lynnfield, pizza can be ordered on a cauliflower crust that would fool any picky eater.
California Pizza Kitchen is the first national restaurant brand to offer the veggie-based crust option, according to a spokesperson for the company. A slice made with the cauliflower crust is about 10 calories less than the original, hand-tossed base. Any pizza can be ordered on a cauliflower crust for $2.50 more.
The chain first launched the cauliflower crust option at the end of January, but has seen a huge increase in its popularity in recent months, said Lynnfield restaurant manager Zadith Del Cid.
“We sell about 200 a week,” he said. “Two to three months ago we were doing about 20 a week.”
The restaurant also added spicy buffalo cauliflower bites, shrimp scampi fettuccine with zucchini ribbons in place of pasta, and protein-packed power bowls layered with fresh veggies and super grains to meet the recent vegetable-centric meal option demands.
“We are proud to be the first national restaurant brand to offer a cauliflower-based pizza crust that’s a craveable, gluten-free and low-carb alternative to our classic hand-tossed pizza dough,” said Brian Sullivan, senior vice president of culinary innovation for California Pizza Kitchen, in a statement. “(It’s) a great option for guests with gluten sensitivities or those just looking for a clever way to sneak more vegetables into their day.”
While the crust is gluten-free, not all toppings are. The kitchen allows for four pizza menu items to be certified gluten-free, including barbeque chicken with smoked gouda, red onions, cilantro, and a choice to add either applewood smoked bacon and fresh pineapple, pepperoni, mushroom and pepperoni with mozzarella, and margherita. Those pizzas are prepared following strict procedures approved by The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIC), a nonprofit organization that provides education and advocacy for the gluten-free community.
California Pizza Kitchen first opened in Beverly Hills in 1985 and operated 250 locations across the country. The MarketStreet eatery opened in 2016.
Crusts can be purchased from the restaurant for make-it-yourself pizza for $2.50. Other brands of frozen cauliflower crusts can also be purchased from Trader Joe’s and Walmart.
