Radicchio, La Rosa del Veneto (Organic)
Cichorium intybus. Loose heading and tall heading type. 100-120 days.
La Rosa Del Veneto is a pink leafed chicory of the type that has been “having a moment” since at least 2018. We’re hoping that moment is here to stay and that pink chicory will establish itself as more than a niche crop for fancy chefs and foodies! Bright, cheery pink color variations make La Rosa del Veneto a great addition to mixed chicory salads or other greens mixes. Said to be less bitter than other chicories, and we’ve found it to be quite delicious and versatile in the kitchen. Pink chicories are best enjoyed raw because their color becomes muted with cooking. Plants start out with a light pink blush on green leaves and the pink really pops against bright white midribs once the cold weather sets in (think late November). Best planted mid-summer for harvest late autumn through early spring as the flavor and color are best in cool weather. Early season harvests yield open rosette-type heads, later in the season plants form elongated heads similar in shape to Treviso chicories. Very cold hardy and easily survives winter in our zone 8b garden (low to 15˚F) if the critters don’t get to it.
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Sow indoors with good potting soil February through September. Transplant into the garden 3-4 weeks after sprouting. In our area, chicory can grow through the winter without protection but is best when sown in June or July for this purpose. Alternatively, direct sow March through August.
Seed Saving
Collect seeds from 10 or more plants in second year when seeds have dried down. Cut whole plants, place on tarp, then dance and stomp to free the seed. Or place dry plants on tarps and drive on them. Screen and winnow to clean. Isolate from other Cichorium sp. by ½ mile.
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