Selection and storage
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| Sugar leaf chicory (Cichorium endivia var. Porphyreum). Photo courtesy: Suzie’s farm. |
Chicory greens are best available in the winter months, although hydroponically grown fresh endive can be purchased year-round in the US. Choose greens with a pale center surrounded by firm, shiny, crisp leaves that are very curly and bright green. Avoid wilted, hard, and discolored (yellow) leaves.
To store, place chicory greens or escarole in a perforated plastic bag, or wrap loosely in a damp paper/cloth. Avoid placing in close packages. Discard wilted or brown-tipped leaves. Properly stored vegetables can last 1 week in a refrigerator set at the appropriate humidity.
Methods of preparation and delivery
Before use, wash the chicory and escarole quickly in cold water without soaking. Remove any wilted leaves and tough parts. Just cut and season before use.
Chicory and escarole are used in the same way as lettuce or kangkowhich they replace or combine.
Here are some delivery tips:
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Raw, especially served with vinaigrette or mayonnaise. They form an interesting mix with other vegetables.
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Chicory can be stewed or added to soups at the end of the cold season for flavor. White bean and escarole soup is a popular South Italian recipe.
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Belgian endive is used raw in salads or stews and served as a vegetable.
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It can also be stewed, then chopped and used in flans, omelets and quiches.
Safety profile
Chicory vegetables are widely used throughout Europe and the American states. Although this green leafy vegetable contains high concentrations of bitter glycosides and inulin, no known side effects have so far been notified when used in moderate amounts.(Medical disclaimer).
Also read ≻≻-
≻≻- Endive nutrition facts and health benefits.
≻≻- 12 amazing health benefits of chicory root.
≻≻-Return to Vegetables from Chicory vegetables. Visit here for an awesome list of vegetables with complete pictures of their nutrition facts and health benefits.
≻≻-Return to Home page.
Additional resources:
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Home gardening series-University of Arkansas division of Agriculture-pdf.
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Current Developments in Genomics and Breeding of Leaf Chicory.