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Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
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 in the 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 serve 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.
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-238-9880 |
| Michele Coulon Dessertier | San Diego CA | 858-456-5098 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Monteferante Foods | Vista CA | 310-740-0194 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Ron Oliver | ||
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| 10 Barrel Brewing Co. | San Diego CA | 619-886-2743 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Civico 1845 | San Diego CA | 619-300-4810 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Paradise Point Resort Barefoot | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6800 |
| Seasalt | Del Mar CA | 858-755-7100 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| International Smoke Del Mar | San Diego CA | 702-683-7590 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Belgian Endive. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Meathenge |
|
Braised Endive |
| The New York Times |
|
Seared Belgian Endive With Walnut Gremolata |
Recently Shared
People have shared Belgian Endive using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing 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.
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Ballard Farmer's Market
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesAbout 131 days ago, 2/23/20 Sharer's comments : Decadent, crisp green, with a bite :) 
Ralphs
Near Pasadena, California, United StatesAbout 154 days ago, 1/31/20 
Dean's Produce
Near San Mateo, California, United StatesAbout 333 days ago, 8/05/19 
Mollie Stone's Markets
Mollie Stone’s - Chapin Ave
Near Burlingame, California, United States1477 Chapin Ave Burlingame CA 94010 650-558-9992 About 337 days ago, 8/01/19 
Woodlands
Woodlands Market
Near Belvedere Tiburon, California, United States1550 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon CA 84920 415-435-2822 About 347 days ago, 7/22/19 
Mollie Stone
Mollie Stone’s Market - Portola
Near San Francisco, California, United States635 Portola Drive San Francisco CA 94127 415-664-1600 About 356 days ago, 7/13/19 
Falletti Foods
Falletti Foods
Near San Francisco, California, United States308 Broderick Street San Francisco CA 94117 415-626-4400 About 357 days ago, 7/12/19 
Pavilions
Pavilions - Balboa Blvd
Near Newport Beach, California, United States3100 W. Balboa Blvd. Newport Beach CA 92663 949-675-2395 About 376 days ago, 6/23/19 
Bristol Farms West Hollywood
Bristol Farms - West Hollywood
Near Beverly Hills, California, United States9039 Beverly Blvd West Hollywood CA 90048 310-248-2804 About 376 days ago, 6/23/19 
Ralphs
Ralph’s - Beverly Blvd.
Near Beverly Hills, California, United States9040 Beverly Blvd West Hollywood CA 90048 310-278-1351 About 376 days ago, 6/23/19 
Mother's Market & Kitchen
Mother’s Market & Kitchen
Near Costa Mesa, California, United States1890 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa CA 92627 949-631-4741 About 378 days ago, 6/21/19 
Mount Royal Fine Foods
Mount Royal Fine Foods
Near Duluth, Minnesota, United States1600 Woodland Ave Duluth MN 55803 218-728-3665 About 417 days ago, 5/13/19 
Vons
Vons- La Costa
Near San Marcos, California, United States3439 Via Montebello Carlsbad CA 92009 760-633-0114 About 466 days ago, 3/25/19 
Vons
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 486 days ago, 3/05/19 Sharer's comments : Belgian Endive spotted at Vons. Creekside Market British Columbia, Canada About 690 days ago, 8/13/18 |
