Did you know that radicchio is pronounced with the “ch” sound? I had been saying it incorrectly for many years.
Radicchio is pronounced ‘raˈdikkjo’ because it is an Italian word and the “ch” sound in English is a “k” sound in Italian. It is Italian because radicchio originated in Northern Italy in the town of Chioggia. Which by the way is also where Chioggia beets are from!
This vegetable is from the chicory family and it is a perennial plant, meaning it is a plant that lives for more than 2 years. It is closely related to artichokes, burdock, endive and Jerusalem artichokes.
The most common of the radicchio is the Chioggia which has red leaves, the colour of wine and sturdy white veins. It looks very much like a head of lettuce or cabbage and just like these vegetables, you would peel back the leaves, slice them or cut them up in wedges.
What Goes Well with Radicchio?
Fruit and Vegetables Artichoke, beetroot, blood orange, butternut squash, endive, fennel, green beans, kale, leek, orange, pear, persimmon, rocket, shallots.
Herbs, Nuts and Spices Basil, chives, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, tarragon, thyme, walnut.
Protein and Other Anchovies, bacon, balsamic vinegar, capers, farro, gorgonzola, mustard, pancetta, polenta, sour cream, tuna.
What Does Radicchio Taste Like?
Flavour: Radicchio is known for its bitterness and therefore it is often paired with sweeter ingredients to counteract the intensity. Cooking radicchio either by roasting, sautéing or grilling, mellows the bitterness considerably.
Texture: The leaves of the radicchio are of medium softness. Not as soft as an iceberg lettuce but not as hard as a cabbage. The white vein is quite hard and very crunchy when eaten raw. The vegetable leaf wilts a little if put through the cooking process.
What is Radicchio & It’s Health Benefits
FAQ
What is the best way to eat radicchio?
What is radicchio good for?
How do you eat red radicchio?
What to eat with radicchio?
This shredded egg salad with radicchio is perfect to spruce up a sandwich. It’s made with boiled eggs with crunchy radicchio and finished with dollops of cream or olive oil. This egg salad recipe goes well on top of toast for a hearty meal. The light, fluffy texture perfectly contrasts the crunchy radicchio, making a flavor and texture bomb. 11.
What to do with radicchio?
Radicchio makes a great addition to salads. You can use it as the main leafy base or mix it with your favorite lettuce (like romaine or iceberg) for a more exciting dish! You can also switch things up and try grilling or sautéing it.
What goes well with radicchio salad?
Refreshing citrus, juicy pears, creamy feta, and chopped walnuts are added to this radicchio salad for extra color and texture. A simple dressing made with olive oil, garlic and a little Greek honey from our shop brings it all together. It’s a colorful, bright, explosion of both color and flavors.
What is radicchio salad?
This salad is a medley of flavors, textures, and colors. The radicchio is crisp with the right amount of bitterness to balance the briny olives. It’s tossed in a creamy tarragon dressing topped with olives, almonds, and breadcrumbs for extra texture. 25. Radicchio Salad With Creamy Ranch Dressing