Produce Briefs...
Garlic Flowers
Garlic flowers are essentially the flowering seeds of a garlic plant. They emerge at the tip of the garlic's above-ground stem. The seeds appear once the garlic has reached maturity or if the plant begins to bolt early
Green Shishito Chile Peppers
Japanese peppers are mildly spicy and most often prepared cooked. Saute peppers in olive oil, over high heat, until they just begin to blister- serve hot, sprinkled with sea salt.
Seasons/Availability
Belgian endive is available year round with a peak season in the summer.
Current Facts
Belgian endive and endive are both in the chicory family. However, Belgian endive is grown from chicory roots in a dark environment, while endive is grown in the fields as a green curly lettuce.
Description/Taste
Shaped like a small torpedo, Belgian endive grows to about six inches in length. It has tender white leaves with either yellow or red-colored leaf edges and a slightly bitter flavor. The only difference between green or yellow Belgian endive and red Belgian endive is color; they are genetically the same.
Nutritional Value
Belgian endive is a source of beta-carotene, potassium, vitamins A, B and C, as well as folate and selenium. It is a known digestive aid.
Applications
While Belgian endive is commonly used fresh in recipes it is also versatile in cooking preparations. Roast whole or halved endive with olive oil until softened and serve as a side dish with grated cheese. Grill endive halves, chop and add to cooked grains and vinaigrette. Chop endive and onions then cook until softened, add vegetable stock, cream, then puree into soup. Slice fresh endive into a salad with pomegranate seeds and sliced kumquats. Endive will keep refrigerated for one to two weeks.
Geography/History
Belgian endive was discovered in the 1830's by a Belgian chicory farmer, who stored the roots in his cellar for drying to use as a coffee substitute. However, after several months, he found the roots had sprouted small white leaves, which he tasted and found tender, moist, and pleasingly bitter. It took another 16 years to commercially cultivate this "witloof" or "white leaf." The chicory is grown from seeds, the roots are harvested, and taken indoors to grow again in a dark environment, using a labor-intensive growing technique called "blanching" to produce the Belgium endive.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Fish Public | San Diego CA | 619-281-4014 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Tapenade | San Diego CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Michele Coulon Dessertier | San Diego CA | 858-456-5098 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Ritual Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-283-1618 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 ex 4 |
| Roseville Cozinha | San Diego CA | 619-794-2192 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Neighborhood Burger Wine and Beer | San Diego CA | 619-446-0002 |
| The Hake | La Jolla CA | 619-994-7832 |
| Quality Social | San Diego CA | 619-501-7675 |
| Analog | San Diego CA | 619-233-1183 |
| JR Produce | San Diego CA | 858-270-3857 |
| Roppongi | San Diego CA | 858-551-5252 |
| Crosby National Golf Club LLC | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-227-0172 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9576 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| Hotel Del Coronado 1500 Restaurant | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Toast Catering | san diego CA | 858.208.9422 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6800 |
| Martinis above Fourth | San Diego CA | 619-400-4500 |
| Bernard'O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-487-7171 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-9085 |
| Aztec Shops Catering | San Diego CA | 619-594-7641 |
| Sea Rocket Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7049 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Fiddler's Green | San Diego CA | 619-222-2216 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Hard Rock Hotel Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-702-3000 |
| La Villa | San Diego CA | 619 255 5221 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 619-990-0158 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 760-822-3593 sal |
| Pascucci Pasta | San Diego CA | 619-285-8000 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Lofty Coffee Co. | Encinitas CA | 760-230-6747 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-238-9880 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Solace & the Moonlight Lounge | Encinitas CA | 760-753-2433 |
| Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Villa Capri 2 Family Style Trattoria | San Diego CA | 858-538-5884 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 x212 |
| Davanti Enoteca | San Diego CA | 858-519-5060 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800-843-4661 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Barbarella | San Diego CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Tuscany | Carlsbad CA | 760-929-8111 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Urban Solace | San Diego CA | 619-295-6464 |
| Don Coulon | San Diego CA |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Belgian Endive. One
is easiest, three is harder.| SD Reader - What Chef Eats |
|
Belgian Endive Soup |
| Gourmeted |
|
Quick & Easy: Endives with Lox Cream Cheese Spread |
| Cook Almost Anything |
|
Caramelised Endive Tart |
| Kayotic Kitchen |
|
Caramelized Chicory |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Belgian Endive using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
|
Ocado Yorkshire Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 99 days ago, 3/11/13 Spotter's comments : Sold as chicory Asda Bradford Near Bradford, United Kingdom About 99 days ago, 3/11/13 Specialty Produce Near San Diego, California, United States About 146 days ago, 1/23/13 Spotter's comments : Endive make a great serving dish for salads or appetizers. In stock. |
