'Radichetta' | |
---|---|
Image from A descriptive catalogue of vegetables (1940)
|
|
Species | Cichorium intybus var. foliosum |
Origin | Italy |
Radichetta (also known as 'Catalogna Lettuce', ) is a type of chicory, similar to radicchio. It can be eaten raw as a salad green (similar to a lettuce), or on sandwiches, and can also be used as a garnish. It has a soft texture and mildly bitter flavor.
It can be eaten fresh or cooked, in various Italian dishes. It can cooked like a vegetable, lightly sauteed in olive oil.
It grows fast from seed, either inside (before being planted outside) or outdoors in rows 8-12 inches apart. It is recommeneded to sow seeds between Feb to the end of October. The lettuce-like plants can grow up to 1 foot tall.
It is cold tolerant, and is slow to bolt, in spring. The young leaves can be harvested or the whole head later in the summer.