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Which chicory do Italians eat?
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Posted by johnyb QLD Aust (My Page) on Wed, Jul 30, 03 at 2:51
| Hi Folks,
Can anyone tell me, and possibly send some seed for, the type of chicory used in Italian dishes (ie pork & steamed chicory). My online searches reveal conflicting information, anyone who can help me out would be appreciated.
Thanks,
John |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Which chicory do Italians eat?
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| Well, I'm not Italian, nor do I know any Italians, but I know there's a difference between Endive or Belgian Endive, a sort of lettucey thing, which is also called chicory, and the chicory you can make coffee from (Cichorium intybus, also called Succory). Does that help at all? |
RE: Which chicory do Italians eat?
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- Posted by sooze z10 NSW Aust (My Page) on
Sun, Aug 10, 03 at 4:10
Hi John, I'm not Italian either, but if you can get hold of "Carluccio's complete Italian Food" Book he describes all the variations on the chickory name in italian cooking. He claims that the common characteristic is "bitter" because they descend from the wild plant Cicoria selvatica (closely related to the dandelion). He describes with italian names -
Catalongna - wild chickory
Catalogna puntarelle - bushy variety of the same plant
Cicoria di Bruxelles the Belgian endive we also call witlof
Radicchio which belongs to the chicory family of which there are 2 types - Rosso di Verona, looks like small red cabbage and Radic. di Treviso long leaves
Ceriolo verde & ceriolo rosso, green & red salad leaves formed like a rose
Circorietta da taglio, a tiny salad leaf
Scarola (Batavia)a bushy head which is cooked whole
Indivia (curly endive or frisee) a salad leaf. I have only grown one of these the long red radicchio, which was VERY bitter & only the first tiny leaves were OK and have eaten the small red round one (grilled) at resturants. You are now more confused than ever:-)) but I reckon you could use the belgian or the radiccio. Sorry I can't help with seeds - what about talking to your local italian grocer. |
RE: Which chicory do Italians eat?
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| I just go for the tinned stuff as I dont eat it enough to warrant a plant. My family is french but chiconne is still a favourite! |
RE: Which chicory do Italians eat?
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- Posted by leyla Central Vic (My Page) on
Wed, Aug 27, 03 at 1:23
I am Italian and we have always eaten chicory which is quite tall with jaggered leaves - which I think is the wild chicory you can buy it in pots as a single plant in the herb part of the nursery. My grandmother used to use the dandelion in soups also very bitter but most of these vegetales are.
Leyla |
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