Early red radicchio di Verona (Cichorium intybus L.) is a biennial herbaceous plant, grown as an annual, belonging to the Asteraceae family.
It’s interesting to know that radicchio is a kind of chicory. The word “radicchio” is used for types of chicory that have red leaves with various degrees of variegation.
Early red radicchio di Verona was selected from late red radicchio di Verona.
It doesn’t have any particular requirements and is extremely cold hardy. This variety grows in the autumn, which is why it’s known as “early”, and is highly sensitive to cold winter weather. As with all types of radicchio, you must take care to sow it at the right time and guarantee constant irrigation.
The leaves are deep red in colour; they are broad with indented edges and have a very pronounced, branched, white central rib. The head is compact, it is of an elongated shape that closes at the tip.
Early red radicchio di Verona is used in cooking, both raw and cooked, for its bitter flavour.