Radicchio (pronounced rad-EE-key-o) is the Italian name for a good-sized group of red chicories. These
are not lettuce or cabbage
, neither of which can replace radicchio’s fleshy, slightly bitter chewiness. Radicchios are named after the towns in the Veneto region of northern Italy where most are grown.
What kind of lettuce is radicchio?
Radicchio — also known as Cichorium intybus and Italian chicory — is
a type of leafy chicory
featuring dark reddish-purple leaves and white veins. Though commonly mistaken for red cabbage or lettuce, radicchio has a distinctly bitter taste that goes well with many Italian dishes.
How do you eat radicchio lettuce?
Radicchio is great as a leafy salad vegetable, and it adds a sharp, pungent flavor. Eat it
raw in salads, or lightly grill or sauté it to add to salads, pasta dished, stews or risotto
. To prepare, trim the outer leaves, wash the head in cool running water.
Is radicchio a Brassica?
Radicchio is
a leafy member of the chicory family
, often called Italian chicory, which explains its bold, bitter flavor. Although it’s compact like red cabbage, radicchio’s leaves are thinner and more tender, unlike red cabbage’s firm and waxy texture. Red cabbage is a variety of cabbage with reddish-purple leaves.
What kind of vegetable is radicchio?
Radicchio is a
leafy vegetable
with dark reddish-purple leaves and white veins. It’s sometimes called red chicory, Italian chicory, or red endive.
Is radicchio a cabbage or lettuce?
Radicchio (pronounced rad-EE-key-o) is the Italian name for a good-sized group of red chicories. These are
not lettuce or cabbage
, neither of which can replace radicchio’s fleshy, slightly bitter chewiness. Radicchios are named after the towns in the Veneto region of northern Italy where most are grown.
Which is the best lettuce to eat?
- Arugula (sometimes called rocket) Flickr/thebittenword.com. …
- Iceberg lettuce. William Wei, Business Insider. …
- Radicchio. Wikimedia Commons. …
- Endive. Flickr/Lablascovegmenu. …
- Chard. Ulga/Shutterstock. …
- Butter lettuce. Flickr/Anita Hart. …
- Romaine. liz west/Flickr. …
- Broccoli leaves.
How do I make my lettuce crispy?
Crisp it up by
soaking cut lettuce in ice water for a few minutes
. Then, spin dry as you normally would. This is great for slightly wilted lettuce.
Why is radicchio so expensive?
Many types of radicchio are expensive as
they are cost intensive to cultivate as some are deprived of light as they mature
. Radicchio appeal to a niche market who can celebrate bitterness as a welcome addition to a range of flavours, particularly when juxtaposed to offer contrast.
What does cooked radicchio taste like?
What Does Radicchio Taste Like? Radicchio’s hallmark is its
bitter taste
, which makes it an ideal backdrop for more savory ingredients like crisped prosciutto, aged Parmesan, and goat cheese.
What part of radicchio do you eat?
The leaves
are not the only edible part of the radicchio plant. The roots can also be eaten by first roasting and then grinding them into a coffee substitute or additive. While radicchio is a powerful ingredient, it’s bold flavors and spicy bite can be diluted with cooking.
Why is radicchio so bitter?
Radicchio owes its
characteristically bitter edge to naturally occurring chemical compounds released when the vegetable is cut or chewed
. However, because these bitter compounds are water soluble, you can tone down the bitterness by soaking the cut leaves in water.
What is a good replacement for radicchio?
- What is Radicchio? Radicchio is a mildly bitter tasting leafy vegetable. It is actually Italian Chicory. …
- Substitute for Radicchio. Use equal amounts of Belgian endive OR Curly endive OR arugula OR watercress.
- Equivalents. 1 medium head = 8 leaves.
How many types of radicchio are there?
Lively flavours seem to bring out the best of radicchio. There are
five
principal types of radicchio. The most common and familiar is Radicchio di Chioggia, which has a spherical shape, intensely red leaves, and bright white veins. Cultivars of this variety include Palla Rossa, and Rossa di Verone.
