Radicchio is a leaf chicory with a spicy and bitter taste that mellows when cooked or grilled. Purple in color radicchio is a perennial plant that has a similar shape to a cabbage, but thinner and more tender leaves. Due to its bitterness, radicchio pairs best with sweet, salty and acidic ingredients like oranges, prosciutto and balsamic vinegar.
Storage
Store in plastic in the refrigerator, radicchio should keep for about 5 days, much less then a cabbage.
Preparation
Remove outer leaves and finely shred, tear, or chop. Bitter on it’s own radicchio is great combined with other greens for salads, grilled, braised, and used as a pizza topping.
Recipes
Spicy Radicchio & Fennel Pizza
Radicchio & Cranberry Bean Salad with Figs
Grilled Radicchio with Balsamic Syrup
