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Radicchio, also known as Italian chicory, is a popular salad green that is a type of chicory leaf. It comes in a variety of types, some of which are named as follows: Augusto, Chioggia, Firebird, Giulio, Milan, Palla Rossa, and Treviso. Radicchio is commonly grown worldwide in regions where the temperatures are cool. It is a sturdy plant that can grow in a variety of soil types and, depending on the climate where it is grown, can be planted in the spring, summer, or fall.
You can recognize a radicchio by its red or maroon colored leaves that have white veins throughout. Similar to iceberg lettuce, radicchio's leaves are formed into a ball shape. Radicchio's size, however, is smaller than iceberg lettuce and can range from approximately two inches to six inches in length. You can purchase radicchio year round at most supermarket chains and at many specialty vegetable stores. When purchasing radicchio, make sure that the radicchio is firm and that its leaves are neither wilted nor extremely frayed or marked. Once purchased, if you plan to use the radicchio within a day, you can leave it out at room temperature. Otherwise, place the radicchio in your refrigerator. When radicchio is refrigerated it can be stored for up to three weeks prior to its use.
Because radicchio is a type of chicory, its taste is bitter and somewhat spicy. Although you can eat radicchio raw, because of its uniquely sharp taste it is typically combined with other lettuce types, such as romaine, iceberg lettuce, and endive in salads or, it is combined with other ingredients, such as apples, then served. Radicchio is combined with other vegetables in order to make the radicchio's flavor less bitter. Other common uses for radicchio include combining it with spinach, or mixing it with boiled potatoes, kidney beans, and oil and vinegar to serve as side dishes.
Although radicchio typically lasts a long time when purchased and immediately refrigerated, you can enhance its life even more by washing it under cold water as soon as you return home with your purchase and by removing any outer leaves on its head as you wash it. Once the radicchio has been cleaned, dry its leaves using paper towels or by placing the leaves in a salad spinner. When the leaves are dry, either place them back into the salad spinner used to dry them or, move them to an airtight container. Store the container that holds the radicchio in your refrigerator. When you are ready to use the radicchio, it is also recommended to remove from the refrigerator only the amount of leaves that you will need for your recipe. This ensures that the remaining radicchio leaves stay fresh and clean.
Radicchio is an excellent addition to any of the more traditional types of salad. It is a healthy food that not only adds a little color to your salads or side dishes, but it adds a zesty flavor that can enhance any meal in which it is an ingredient.
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