Consistently produces beautiful deep red/pink spots. Bel fiore, or “beautiful flower” in Italian, refers to how the round-to-oval heads are sometimes displayed in Italy, with their centers opened to resemble a flower. The 3 1/2-4 1/2″ heads have a mildly bitter, radicchio flavor. Loosely closing heads are often used in salads. 60 days.
Care: Plant 10-12″ apart in rows 12-18″ apart in full sun.
Red or green or in between, Italian chicories (aka endive, frisee, and radicchio) are heritage greens that combine a sweet, flowery fragrance with an intriguingly peppery bite. Gorgeous in the garden and stunning on the plate, this bevy of Italian beauties offer myriad variations to enjoy. With scoop-shaped leaves that are perfect for dipping, these flavorful greens partner deliciously with distinctive cheeses and creamy dressings. Their spunky bite is mellowed by slow cooking; try braising in butter or splitting whole heads lengthwise and grilling until lightly caramelized. Josh Volk of Slowhand Farm offers more ideas here and explains how to get the most from these versatile vegetables here. We think you’ll be as excited as we are when you see this fantastic brochure from Osborne Quality Seeds (we’re grateful for the loan!) as well as this informative Italian poster which was created by Local Roots Farm, Johnny’s Selected Seeds and the Culinary Breeding Network, and features many of the varieties we’re growing.
Also, here’s a delightful zine, 46 pages of tasty recipes to keep you going throughout the cool months of the year, as well as a detailed history on the origin and uses of Chicory.
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