How to Cook Radicchio

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When it comes to leafy salad bases, radicchio is delicious. Radicchio certainly can be used in a “lettuce”-way, but it actually is much more versatile than your typical lettuce. The Italians know this well and have been grilling, roasting, and cooking it for centuries.

I like to either tear my radicchio or sliver it for salads. Wedges are great for grilling and roasting, and bite-sized pieces are more conducive for sautéing. In classic, simple Italian cooking, it can be grilled or roasted in chunks or wedges, then topped off with a little fresh Parmesan and a drizzle of good balsamic vinegar. This is a perfect side dish to many meats, from Bourbon Brown Sugar Pork Loin to Chicken Francese.

Radicchio can also stand up well with other ingredients that help highlight and complement its bitter flavors, such as citrus, bacon, capers, walnuts, and different cheeses. It can also be added to soups and stews, like this Chicken and Rice Soup or Instant Pot Mediterranean Lamb Stew.

What Is Radicchio?

Radicchio, although often thought to be a colorful red lettuce or cabbage, is actually a type of chicory (leafy vegetable family). It has a bitter taste and gets most of its fame in Italian cooking, where they grow at least 15 varieties, most named after the regions where they originate.

But here in the U.S., it isn’t as popular, and usually, we can find one main variety called radicchio di Chioggia (originated in Chioggia, Italy, but is now mostly grown in California for U.S. purposes). Another variety in the U.S. markets (albeit not as common) is Treviso, which tastes a little more delicate and less bitter.

What Does Radicchio Look Like? 

Chioggia radicchio does indeed look like a small reddish-purple cabbage or head of lettuce. The leaves are fairly thick (slightly cabbage-like), and they have white veins and are tightly formed in a round (sometimes elongated) head. The smaller the radicchio head, the thinner and less bitter the leaves. 

Treviso radicchio is elongated, and its shape looks more like that of romaine lettuce. 

What Does Radicchio Taste Like?

I find people either love radicchio or hate it…or just have never tried it. It has a bitter taste, almost spicy at times. When cooked, it mellows in flavor. Radicchio leaves are crisp with a bit of density that gives a bit of chewiness.

Its best substitute is either endive (a little milder in flavor and different in color) or dandelion greens (similar in taste although very different in look and texture). Treviso radicchio and some other Italian varieties are a little more delicate and less bitter than the more common Chioggia.

Types of Radicchio

There are many types of radicchio, but a lot of them are hard to find. But seriously, if you can, seek them out — not only are they delicious, they are GORGEOUS.

Look for Variegato Radicchio, Rosso Tardivo Radicchio, Rosa di Padova Radicchio, and La Rosa di Veneto Radicchio, all of which have different colorings, shapes, textures, and tastes. A salad made with an assortment of different kinds of radicchio is simply stunning.

Where to Find Radicchio

Typical Chioggia radicchio is generally found in most supermarkets in the produce section year-round. The Treviso variety, and others, can be more difficult to find and often can be found in specialty markets.

How to Pick the Best Radicchio

Like any produce, a head of radicchio should be bright in color, crisp, and free of any damage or bruises. The leaves of radicchio should be thick and tightly bound — if the outer leaves are a little limp, simply remove them and make sure what is under is ideal.

How to Prepare and Cook Radicchio

For almost all recipes using radicchio, preparation is quite simple.

1. Discard damaged goods: Throw out any wilted or damaged outer leaves.
2. Wipe it down: Wipe the head with a damp paper towel. (Because the head is so tightly wrapped, the inner leaves usually are free of dirt.)
3. Chop it up: Next, it is just a matter of cutting it into shapes and pieces desired for whatever recipe you are doing!

Thinly sliced or ripped pieces of radicchio are often added to lettuce mixes for salads. The Italians have cornered the market on recipes using radicchio to its fullest potential; grilling, roasting, and sautéing really highlight this vegetable. It is almost always cooked with olive oil, whether sautéed or roasted.

How to Store Radicchio

The best way to store radicchio is unwashed and in a bag in the vegetable bin in your refrigerator. If stored like this, it will last 4 to 5 days.

Washing the leaves before storing tends to encourage the growth of mold and bacteria, so don’t wash it until just before preparing. If your head or leaves are looking a little limp, you may be able to revive them by soaking them in an ice bath for about 10 minutes.

FAQs

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6 Radicchio Recipes

Here are some recipes that use radicchio.

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Endive and Radicchio Salad with Fresh Mozzarella

The bitter lettuces are a great companion to creamy mozzarella. This is a great first course or side dish to an Italian dinner. Think about pairing this with Pasta alla Vodka, Shrimp fra Diavolo with Linguine, or Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce.

Ingredients

• Radicchio – The star of this post and the diva of this salad!
• Endive – Endive is one of my favorite salad ingredients. If you like it here, you’ll love it in this Fennel and Endive Salad.
• Heart of romaine – The inner leaves on a head of romaine are the crispest, which makes the heart the best base for this salad.
• Olive oil – Drizzle all over this salad and let the gloriousness ensue.
• Lemon juice – To add some acidity to the dressing.
• Salt and pepper – To taste.
• Mozzarella – I think the fresh mozzarella on top is what makes this so inviting for kids to try.