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Chicory/Radicchio/Endive

The common English names of these closely related plants is the cause of much confusion. Here, chicory  is used for the green varieties of Cichorium intybus, while radicchio is used for those that display red colouration. Both heading and leaf varieties are available and are growing in popularity in Australia. Mesculin (misticanza in Italian) salad typically has a few tired red leaves, which belies the potential contribution of chicory and radicchio to both salads and cooked dishes. Cichorium endiva has two variants, escarole endive (indiva scarola) and curly endive (indiva riccia). Defined by their distinctive bitter taste, the use of these vegetables is increasing in Australia. Try Franchi radicchio rossa di Traviso in a risotto. Fantastic.

	CHICORY (Cicoria) spadona “Sword Chicory” has long, rounded leaves, very thin almost non existent stem and is an excellent addition to salads. Fast grower-30 or so days. Make new  plantings every three weeks or so. Can handle modest frosts. 10g packet for approx 3,500 seeds.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Cicoria) catalogna puntarelle brindisina "Puntarelle" varieties of chicory are sweet and delicate and described in glowing terms in “Antonio Carluccio's Vegetables” where he recommends that they be blanched in boiling water and then drizzled with olive oil and flavoured with lemon juice or garlic and chilli. When young can be used in salads and in Italy are commonly given a soak in iced water. 10g packet for approx 4,000 seeds.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Cicoria) catalogna gigante di Chioggia “Catalogna" varieties of chicory, sometimes called asparagus chicory, grow in bushy bunches of long, white stemmed leaves that have a mildly bitter taste. Giant of Chioggia is grown primarily for its tall, thin stems. Can be used young in salads, or grown to maturity for cooking. The River Café Cookbook Green has several excellent receipes. Packet of 10g for about 4,000 seeds.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Chicoria) zuccerina di Trieste       "Small, sweet from Trieste" is a cutting chicory with rounded, upright, light green leaves with almost no ribbing and very thin stems. Mild tasting and fast growing (40 days) and will regrow after cutting. Broadcast sow at any time of year. 13 grams for more than 5,000 seeds.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Cicoria) da taglio bionda foglie larghe Light green cutting chicory. Called “cicoretta” in Italian, this plant has tall, rounded leaves with no serrations and a pleasant mild taste. Broadcast sow in beds with a spacing of about 2cm after risk of frost. Cover lightly or just rake in. Keep moist until seeds emerge in 4-10 days, depending on the temperature. Succession sow every two to three weeks for a continuous harvest of young tender chicory Ready to cut when about 10cm tall in 35 days or so. 10g packet for about 4,500 seeds.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Cicoria) barba di cappuccino    Long thin stems which change from white to green upwards. Intensely green leaves with serrated edges. 70-75    days. Best in autumn. Use in salads or cook . Space 10cm between plants, 20cm between rows. 12 gram pack.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Cicoria) selvatica di campo   Chicory, “wild of the fields” is an open plant  that grows close to the ground and has white stems with green serrated leaves. Use young in salads or cooked. Sow direct in rows or broadcast sow autumn into spring and thin to 10 cm. 10 g packet.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Cicoria) misticanza A mix of 12 varieties of radicchio and chicory mix including spadona, treviso, castlefranco, verona & others. Can be used for salads or braising. Transplant some for full headed fall cutting. 12 gram packet for approx 4,000 seeds.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Cicoria) pan di zucchero "Sugar loaf" is an upright , green, heading chicory with a long tight head, somewhat like a romaine lettuce. Easy to grow and head up for spring and autumn in cooler areas, and winter for more temporate zones, 85 days or so. Popular throughout Italy and used in both salads and for cooking. 12 grams seed for about 5,000 seeds.		Price:	QTY:

	CHICORY (Cicoria) witloof di Bruxelles		Price:	QTY:

	RADICCHIO (Cicoria) rossa di Treviso "Red chicory from Treviso" is one of the most sought after of the radicchios and is an elegant plant with red leaves contrasting with wide white ribs. The leaves are delicious in salads, and the ribs are used as a base for risotto and soup. Small plants are often simply grilled or pan fried. Antonio Carluccio’s book "Vegetables" has a number of recipes. Packet contains 12g for about 4,000 seeds.		Price:	QTY: