Radicio salad

Radicio lettuce or radiccio is a species of perennial chicory plant that is classified as part of the Astrovy family. In the natural habitat, there are two main varieties of chicory - salad and common. Breeders have bred a sufficient number of subspecies of salad chicory, which include radicio salad. Endividium or chicory began to be cultivated in the Mediterranean region in ancient times. The chicory subspecies radicio lettuce was bred in the 15th century by a Belgian agronomist who experimented with blanching technology.

The essence of the blanching process is that the plant is limited in light during the active growth phase. Using this technology, not only radicio salad, but also frieze, as well as a number of other varieties of the plant, turned out to be from ordinary salad chicory. The appearance of the radicio salad is distinguished by the combination of a dark and rich bard color of a salad leaf with white massive veins throughout the diameter. However, the radicio salad is good not only in appearance, but also in taste.

The taste of radicio salad can vary depending on the way the product is consumed. Usually radicio lettuce is used in a mix of green salads. The bitter nutty flavor of radiccio will perfectly emphasize all the ingredients of the finished dish. However, if the radicio salad is heat treated, the taste of the final product will be pleasantly sweet and spicy. Such distinctive properties of radicio are used in national Italian dishes. In Italy, it is customary to serve salad radicio leaves fried in first-class olive oil.

The interesting thing is that it is in Italy that radicio lettuce is incredibly popular. Italian breeders constantly improve radicio lettuce and bring new varieties. Nowadays, there are not a dozen varieties of radicio lettuce, which are named after the provinces and famous Italian cities. Useful properties of radicio have been known since the Middle Ages.

In modern times, it has been proven that radicio lettuce has a positive effect on the human cardiovascular system, as well as purifies blood. Notably, radicio lettuce can be refrigerated for up to a few weeks. The structure of the salad helps to keep fresh for a long time, because if the upper leaves of the curl under them are still juicy (as with white cabbage).

Radicio salad is appreciated in cooking not only for its taste, but also for its appearance. Often bright and unusual in color, radiccio salad leaves are used as original salad bowls or snack stands. Radicio lettuce is thought to work perfectly with onions, cumin or garlic. Yellow-green, light radicio varieties are better used in salads, but dark and burgundy subspecies are great as a hot snack or side dish for meat dishes.