Radicchio, Red Chicory, Radish
Radicchio is a red, broad leaf, heading form of chicory. It has burgundy red-colored leaves with white midribs. There are numerous cultivars, some forming loose heads and others with the leaves folded in such a manner as to resemble a small head of cabbage. Leaf texture is similar to but stockier than that of a French endive. The red coloration improves during the colder months. The first growth of many radicchios is green. These leaves are tough and very bitter. When cut back in the autumn, if the weather is cold, the second growth will be bright red or magenta. The radicchio is a popular European salad vegetable and garnish produced largely in Italy. It has a distinctive, bitter flavour. Used raw the flavour and color add zest to salads.
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