Spade & Plow’s Chicory Line-Up: Dandelions, Rosalba Radicchio, Chioggia Radicchio, Sugarloaf Radicchio, and Castelfranco Radicchio.

First, we want to express our gratitude to our farm community for supporting our mission to grow from unique and diverse seed varieties. By adding different varieties to our Chicory line-up, our hope is that they continue to grow in popularity as our customers try new varieties this season.

The Chicory family is a wide and varied group that consists of loose-leaf or tightly-headed lettuce varieties. With diversely colored hues, chicory color ranges from white and pale yellow to bright green and maroon. Radicchio is low in calories, but offers several important vitamins and minerals. Powerful plant compounds found in chicories are said to protect your cells from free-radical damage, disease, and infections.

While chicory is favored for its bitter flavor, too much heat will make chicory incredibly bitter. They prefer cooler weather which makes them an abundant crop in winter and spring.

The word bitter can be nullifying when it comes to describing flavor; however, bitter foods are incredibly nutritious and contain many health benefits. Take a moment to think about all the bitter foods that you love, we are sure there are more than a few. Cocoa is very bitter. By adding sugar, salt, and fat, cocoa becomes a delectable treat enjoyed by many. Cutting down bitter flavor with a little sweet and some healthy fats helps us to enjoy more food varieties. To make chicories less bitter the same rules apply; add a little sugar, salt, and fat. For example, to add in some sugar, make a honey vinaigrette or add some dried fruit; to add in a little salt and healthy fats add in some nuts like pistachios or walnuts, and fresh avocado or cheese.

We are pleased to offer a variety showcase in the coming weeks as harvest starts to ramp up. This year we hopped on the chicory train and planted 8 beds with five different varieties. Each variety is different from the next. With different colors and flavor profiles, we are pleased to share these bitter sweet gems with our customers through the winter season and back again in the spring.

Dandelion Greens:

Dandelions are part of the chicory family. They are packed with vitamin A, B6, C, and K, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium.

Application of dandelion greens:

Add to salads, sauté, or soups.

Rosalba Radicchio:

Light and airy, Rosalba Radicchio is a loose head made up of many layers of delicate, pink leaves. It has a sweet , floral taste, and is generally less bitter than other radicchio varieties.

Application of Rosalba:

Rosalba is best suited for salads or lettuce cups. Pairs well is citrus, pears, apples, and creamy cheeses.

Radicchio di Chioggia:

Radicchio di Chioggia is the most popular variety of chicories with deep maroon leaves with white ribs. It has intense flavor that is bitter yet balanced with its crisp texture.

Application of Radicchio di Chioggia:

Add to salad mixes. Pairs well with citrus, pears, nuts, and cheese. This variety can be cooked. Grill, braise, or add to pastas and soups.

Check out Spade & Plow original recipes: Simple Radicchio Salad and Fall Radicchio Salad.

Castelfranco Radicchio:

With pale green leaves with speckles of burgundy, Castelfranco Radicchio resembles a work of art. The flavor profile of this variety is mild compared to the deeper red varieties.

Application of Castelfranco Radicchio:

Perfect for raw or cooked applications. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a green; sautéed, braised, or baked on pizza.

Sugarloaf Radicchio:

Sugarloaf is the sweetest, mildest variety of radicchio. It has high water content and crisp texture. Unlike other radicchio varieties, sugarloaf radicchios grow upright and be up to one foot long.

Application of Sugarloaf Radicchio:

The best way to enjoy this variety is raw because it is sweet, watery, and crisp.

The Chicory Victory Is Ours!