Catalogna chicory(puntarelle) variety of Chicory
Description of Catalogna chicory(puntarelle) variety of Chicory.
Catalogna chicory, also known as puntarelle, is a unique variety prized for its crisp, slightly bitter leaves and crunchy, elongated stems. Here’s a description:
Appearance: Puntarelle has long, narrow leaves with deeply serrated edges, resembling dandelion greens. The stems are thick and crisp, with a pale green color.
Flavour: It has a distinctive, pleasantly bitter flavor that adds complexity to salads and other dishes. The bitterness is milder compared to other chicory varieties, making it versatile for various culinary uses.
Texture: The leaves are tender yet sturdy, providing a satisfying crunch, while the stems are crunchy and succulent.
Culinary Uses: Puntarelle is commonly used in Italian cuisine, particularly in the region of Lazio. It’s often served raw in salads, where its bitterness contrasts with the sweetness of other ingredients. It can also be blanched or sautéed as a side dish or added to soups and pasta dishes.
Harvesting: Puntarelle is typically harvested when the leaves are young and tender, usually in late winter or early spring. The outer leaves can be harvested as they mature, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing
Nutritional Benefits: Like other chicory varieties, puntarelle is low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, potassium, and calcium.
Overall, puntarelle chicory is a delicious and nutritious addition to any kitchen, prized for its unique flavor and texture in Italian cuisine and beyond.
Planting instructions for Catalogna chicory variety of Chicory.
To plant Catalogna chicory, also known as puntarelle, follow these planting instructions:
- Timing: Plant puntarelle seeds in late summer or early fall for a winter harvest. It’s a cool-season crop that thrives in cooler temperatures.
- Location: Choose a sunny location in your garden with well-drained soil. Puntarelle prefers soil with good fertility and a pH of around 6.0 to 6.8.
- Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of about 8-10 inches and incorporating organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and fertility.
- Sowing Seeds: Sow puntarelle seeds directly into the prepared garden bed, spacing them about 12 inches apart. Plant the seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry periods. Water regularly to ensure even moisture levels, particularly during germination and establishment.
- Thinning: Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to ensure proper spacing, leaving the strongest plants to grow.
- Weed Control: Keep the area around the plants free from weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water.
- Fertilization: Puntarelle doesn’t typically require heavy fertilization, but you can apply a balanced fertilizer according to soil test recommendations or based on the plant’s growth.
- Harvesting: Puntarelle can be harvested when the leaves are young and tender, usually in late winter or early spring. Harvest the outer leaves as they mature, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing for successive harvests.
- Storage: Store harvested puntarelle in the refrigerator for up to a week, preferably wrapped in damp paper towels or placed in a plastic bag to retain moisture.
Description of Catalogna chicory(puntarelle) variety of Chicory.
Catalogna chicory, also known as puntarelle, is a unique variety prized for its crisp, slightly bitter leaves and crunchy, elongated stems. Here’s a description:
Appearance: Puntarelle has long, narrow leaves with deeply serrated edges, resembling dandelion greens. The stems are thick and crisp, with a pale green color.
Flavour: It has a distinctive, pleasantly bitter flavor that adds complexity to salads and other dishes. The bitterness is milder compared to other chicory varieties, making it versatile for various culinary uses.
Texture: The leaves are tender yet sturdy, providing a satisfying crunch, while the stems are crunchy and succulent.
Culinary Uses: Puntarelle is commonly used in Italian cuisine, particularly in the region of Lazio. It’s often served raw in salads, where its bitterness contrasts with the sweetness of other ingredients. It can also be blanched or sautéed as a side dish or added to soups and pasta dishes.
Harvesting: Puntarelle is typically harvested when the leaves are young and tender, usually in late winter or early spring. The outer leaves can be harvested as they mature, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing
Nutritional Benefits: Like other chicory varieties, puntarelle is low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, potassium, and calcium.
Overall, puntarelle chicory is a delicious and nutritious addition to any kitchen, prized for its unique flavor and texture in Italian cuisine and beyond.
Planting instructions for Catalogna chicory variety of Chicory.
To plant Catalogna chicory, also known as puntarelle, follow these planting instructions:
- Timing: Plant puntarelle seeds in late summer or early fall for a winter harvest. It’s a cool-season crop that thrives in cooler temperatures.
- Location: Choose a sunny location in your garden with well-drained soil. Puntarelle prefers soil with good fertility and a pH of around 6.0 to 6.8.
- Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of about 8-10 inches and incorporating organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and fertility.
- Sowing Seeds: Sow puntarelle seeds directly into the prepared garden bed, spacing them about 12 inches apart. Plant the seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry periods. Water regularly to ensure even moisture levels, particularly during germination and establishment.
- Thinning: Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to ensure proper spacing, leaving the strongest plants to grow.
- Weed Control: Keep the area around the plants free from weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water.
- Fertilization: Puntarelle doesn’t typically require heavy fertilization, but you can apply a balanced fertilizer according to soil test recommendations or based on the plant’s growth.
- Harvesting: Puntarelle can be harvested when the leaves are young and tender, usually in late winter or early spring. Harvest the outer leaves as they mature, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing for successive harvests.
- Storage: Store harvested puntarelle in the refrigerator for up to a week, preferably wrapped in damp paper towels or placed in a plastic bag to retain moisture.
