Astéracées • Cichorium intybus

Catalogna Wild Chicory - Organic

"A wild and elegant energy, bitter just enough to awaken the senses."

$4.49

Number of seeds 250 seeds

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Originating from the Mediterranean regions, this chicory embodies the rustic strength and herbaceous charm of the southern lands . Its long, serrated leaves , of an intense green, evoke the dandelion, but hide a personality all its own: crisp, fragrant, slightly bitter .

Catalogna grows vigorously, even in poor or well-drained soil , and is easily cultivated in autumn or spring. Its slender habit and resistance to light cold make it an excellent companion for mixed gardens and vegetable rotations. It attracts beneficial insects and integrates elegantly and discreetly into a living garden.

Growing climate: Temperate climate, cool to warm
Sowing difficulty level: Easy
Care required: Occasional

Note: Hardy plant, tolerates winter cold well under light protection.

Popular throughout Italy, Catalogna is to be savored:

When young: in a crunchy salad, under the name mazzocchi.
When mature: its leaves can be cooked in water or steamed, like spinach.
In Rome: it is prepared as puntarelle, by detaching the stems from the heart, which are then curled in cold water before being seasoned with a vinaigrette of anchovy, garlic and olive oil.
Traditionally, it accompanies stews or braised meats and embodies the bitter flavor of southern peasant cuisines.

Its invigorating bitterness makes it a plant to be rediscovered for its rich taste as much as for its role in raw food.