Vegetable

• Crops in : June to November

Description

Round headed, greenish leaves turning a reddish and white variegated as colder weather beckons and the heart formation becomes more noticeable. Good winter hardiness. Boil leaves to remove bitterness, fresh leaves add zest to a mixed salad.

Sowing Instructions

Sow thinly under protection in February to April for earliest harvest in summer, or May to August outdoors to harvest from October. Sow in rows, 13mm deep, 30cm between rows. First thin the young seedlings to 10cm apart, then later to 25cm apart. Can also be left unthinned for 'salad leaves'.

Can also be sown thickly under glass all year round for 'salad leaves'.

Aftercare

In late autumn and winter, when temperatures are low, the outer leaves will close together tightly to form heads and at the same time the red colour will intensify.

Kitchen Notes

Serving suggestion - Boiled chicory. Boiling removes much of the bitterness. Cut leaves into pieces and plunge into salted, boiling water. Wring out excess water, chop up and served topped with bacon and grated cheese or with other cooked vegetables.