Trying Something New
Every year I try a few new varieties of vegetables. I love endive and decided to try growing a few different types. Right now it’s coming into season, it mellows and gets a little less bitter with the cold. I tried them before our first frost and they were bitter, no doubt they’ve mellowed out a bit with the cold weather.
I tied up all the frisee this past weekend to blanch the hearts. I covered one with a bucket to see how that would work and it seems to be working. I’m trying to see which method will work best and be the easiest to manage. I also want to see if one method works better for cold protection.
I’m pretty excited about the radicchio as well, I buy it at the grocery store throughout the winter, I’d love to be able to grow at least some of what we eat.
I’m a huge fan of bitter greens, so endives are a natural choice for me. Growing them is a bit different than lettuce, I’m really enjoying the process of trying different types and learning to use them in the kitchen.
Do you grow any endive or chicories in the garden? Do you have a favorite variety?
Filed under Around the Garden, Edible | Comment (1)
I don’t grow any bitter greens but I do throw spring dandelion greens in a salad now and then and it grows itself everywhere here! :)
What is the advantage of blanched frisee hearts…doesn’t that leach out some of the nutritional value of the green or does it make it less bitter?
Pretty photos!
to Chris's comment