Radichetta (also known as 'Catalogna Lettuce',
) is a type of
chicory
Common chicory (''Cichorium intybus'') is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant of the family Asteraceae, usually with bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink. Native to the Old World, it has been introduced to North America and Austra ...
,
similar to
radicchio
Radicchio ( or ; ) is a perennial cultivated form of leaf chicory (''Cichorium intybus'', Asteraceae) sometimes known as Italian chicory because of its common use in Italian cuisine. It is grown as a leaf vegetable and usually has colorful white ...
. It can be eaten raw as a salad green (similar to a
lettuce
Lettuce (''Lactuca sativa'') is an annual plant of the family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, ...
),
or in 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 be 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 recommended to sow seeds between February 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.
References
Cichorieae
Leaf vegetables
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