Topic: radicchio

[thifasmom]

OK first the good, grew 15 plants successfully, they loved the rain and have hearted up beautifully, harvested 2 yesterday and was quite pleased:


now the bad, oh my goodness it is so bitter and gross how the heck am i going to eat this :-X. even tried cooking it with no real change in bitterness. I'm hoping that a few frosty nights might help reduce the bitterness. i also read today that some people discard the first head and allow the second head to grow in a forced environment to encourage a sweeter product.

so has anyone else tried growing this and what did you do to get a usable crop. i don't want to through the lot as yet :-\.

[lolabelle]

an italian guy once told me to add aliitle sugar or honey to the dressing, did you take out the core??
I have also stir fried them in a little butter and a small ammount of sugar

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

we like the bitterness. We use it as a salad leaf - try soaking the individual leaves in cold water for 20 minutes (we don't do this mind)

[thifasmom]

an italian guy once told me to add aliitle sugar or honey to the dressing, did you take out the core??
I have also stir fried them in a little butter and a small ammount of sugar

the core was all baby leaves so no i didn't remove it should i have. and i will try eating with a little sugar/ honey, but it was so bitter i don't think this will help :((5 adults tried it raw and cooked and only my husband didn't seem to think it too bitter).

we like the bitterness. We use it as a salad leaf - try soaking the individual leaves in cold water for 20 minutes (we don't do this mind)

i will try the soaking for 20 minutes in cold water and see if this also helps.

did either of you ever try to grow it blanched?

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

we'll be trying forcing Witloof this season (whenever you're supposed to do it)

[saddad]

If it's dry you can up end a flower pot over it and cover the drainage holes with crocks... it can go mouldy under the florist buckets... leave for a week to ten days....  :)

[thifasmom]

If it's dry you can up end a flower pot over it and cover the drainage holes with crocks... it can go mouldy under the florist buckets... leave for a week to ten days....  :)

do i cover the existing heads or do i cut off the current heads and let new heads grow under the pots ???

[saddad]

Cover the existing heads, and when you have cut them either let a new one grow and cover again or leave the pot on to force a new one...  :)

[alipally]

Try this dressing with it, it really takes the bitterness off:

1/2 tsp of mustard
1 tsp of honey
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp of dried ginger
4tbsps of cider or wine vinegar (or ordinary vinigar mixed with wine)
shake of salt and pepper
1 tsp chopped basil, (or any herb available)
4 tbsps olive oil

Put all ingredients into a jar and shake well.  Pour over any bitter salad leaves.

Hope that helps,
Ali

[thifasmom]

Try this dressing with it, it really takes the bitterness off:

1/2 tsp of mustard
1 tsp of honey
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp of dried ginger
4tbsps of cider or wine vinegar (or ordinary vinigar mixed with wine)
shake of salt and pepper
1 tsp chopped basil, (or any herb available)
4 tbsps olive oil

Put all ingredients into a jar and shake well.  Pour over any bitter salad leaves.

Hope that helps,
Ali

i hope it helps too :-\

Cover the existing heads, and when you have cut them either let a new one grow and cover again or leave the pot on to force a new one...  :)

thanks saddad i'll give it a try.