Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
Belgian Endive
Inventory, 10 lbs : 82.13
This item was last sold on : 07/05/22
Description/Taste
Belgian endive is shaped like a torpedo and grows to about six inches in length. It has tender white leaves with either yellow or red-colored leaf edges. The leaves offer a soft texture and delicate crunch with a pleasantly bitter flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Belgian endive is available year-round with a peak season in the winter months.
Current Facts
Belgian endive and endive are both in the chicory genus. However, Belgian endive is botanically known as part of Chichorium intybus and is grown from chicory roots in a dark environment, while endive is botanically known as Cichorium endive and grown he fields as a green curly lettuce. Belgian endive is also known as Witloof chicory (Flemish for ‘white leaf’) and in Belgium by the nickname, white gold.
Nutritional Value
Belgian endive is a source of thiamin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, as well as folate and copper. It also contains intybin which is not only responsible for the bitter taste of the leaves but is also known to be an appetite stimulant and a digestive aid. When consumed in large amounts Belgian endive can also act as a diuretic and laxative.
Applications
While Belgian endive is commonly used raw in recipes it is also versatile in cooked preparations. Roast whole or halved endive with olive oil until softened and serve as a side dish with grated cheese. Grill endive halves and add to cooked grains or serv atop pizza. Add chopped or halved to tarts, quiche, soups, stews and stir-fries. When raw it can be chopped and used in a salad or individual leaves can be stuffed with other complimentary ingredients as a canapé. Braising Belgian endive in butter will slightly mellow the bitterness of the vegetable. The bitter flavor of Belgian endive pairs well with onion, pear, apple, cranberries, herbs such as basil and thyme, walnuts, pecans, butter, cream based sauces, olive oil, bacon lardons, prosciutto, lamb, poultry and gorgonzola, manchengo, blue and feta cheeses. Endive will keep refrigerated for one to two weeks.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the United States Belgian endive is considered to be a gourmet and expensive vegetable and typically used raw in salads or as an appetizer consisting of individually stuffed leaves. In its native France and in the Netherlands Belgian endive is an inexpensive, commonly consumed winter and spring vegetable and used most often in hot preparations and on occasion raw in salads. There are several classic French dishes that call for Belgian endive such as endive au gratin and braised endives.
Geography/History
Modern cultivation of Belgian endive was first discovered in the 1830's by Jan Lammers 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 few decades to commercially cultivate this 'witloof'. 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. Commercially grown Belgian endive is exported mainly from western Europe with Belgium contributing the largest share.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| UPAC Enterprise Center | San Diego CA | 619-255-7644 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
| Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Four Seasons Foods Catering | San Diego CA | 619-876-6986 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Home Kitchen Culture | San Diego CA | 619-302-7655 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Pendry SD | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Sano Y Punto | 664-624-1371 | |
| La Bonne Table | San Diego CA | 619-887-7706 |
| The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| The Miller's Table | Oceanside CA | 310-694-4091 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Pascucci Pasta | San Diego CA | 619-285-8000 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Et Voilà! French Bistro | San Diego CA | 858-610-8784 |
| Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
| O'Brien's Pub | San Diego CA | 858-715-1745 |
| Barbusa | San Diego CA | 619-297-6333 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Belgian Endive. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Natural Noshing |
|
Endive with Shrimp Salad |
Recently Shared
People have shared Belgian Endive using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
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Culina at Como Dempsey
Near Singapore, SingaporeAbout 134 days ago, 2/23/22 
Borough Market
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Near London, England, United Kingdom43 Borough Market, London SE1 9AH, United Kingdom 442073578356 https://turnipsboroughmarket.com About 291 days ago, 9/19/21 
Mount Royal Foods
Mount Royal Fine Foods
Near Duluth, Minnesota, United States1600 Woodland Ave Duluth MN 55803 218-728-3665 http://mountroyalfinefoods.com About 710 days ago, 7/26/20 |
