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Belgian Endive

Inventory, 10 lbs : 7.12
This item was last sold on : 01/27/21

• 28 Featured Restaurants

• 12 Recipe Ideas

• 15 Sharess

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.

Ciccia Osteria	San Diego CA	619-674-4069
Michele Coulon Dessertier	San Diego CA	858-456-5098
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade	La Jolla CA	858-551-7500
Chef Jenn	Solana Beach CA	858-212-9054
Pendry SD Dinning Room	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
La Costa Glen South	Carlsbad CA	760-704-1000
insideOUT	San Diego CA	619-793-9221
Blade 1936	Oceanside CA	760-231-1456
The Pearl Hotel	San Diego CA	877-732-7573
The Market by Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-237-1335
Pacifica Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-792-0505
Waverly	Cardiff CA	619-244-0416
Born & Raised	San Diego CA	858-531-8677
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Little Frenchie	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Tartine	Coronado CA	619-435-4323
Bahia Resort Hotel	San Diego CA	858-488-0551
The Roxy Encinitas	Encinitas CA	760-230-2899
Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe 2	Poway CA	858-397-2922
Great Maple Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-255-2282

the other 8...

Hotel Del Coronado Serea Restaurant	Coronado CA	619-435-6611
The Rose	San Diego CA	619-572-7671
Madison	San Diego CA	619-822-3465
Herb & Wood	San Diego CA	520-205-1288
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
Cucina Enoteca	Del Mar CA	619-239-2222
Buon Appetito	San Diego CA	619-238-9880

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Belgian Endive. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Lehigh Valley Style		Belgian Endive with Gruyere and Prosciutto
Natural Noshing		Endive with Shrimp Salad
SD Reader - What Chef Eats		Belgian Endive Soup
Seattle Food Geek		Roasted Endive Salad with Prosciutto, Figs and Pistachios
Well Fed		Grilled Belgian Endive with Quince Vinaigrette
Cook Almost Anything		Caramelised Endive Tart
Paleo Leap		BLT Endive Bites
Meathenge		Braised Endive
Our Salty Kitchen		Winter Harvest Endive Appetizer Cups
The New York Times		Seared Belgian Endive With Walnut Gremolata

the other 2...

Food Republic		Vegetarian Endive Salad With Creamy Pine Nut Dressing And Shaved Parmesan
Natural Noshing		Prosciutto- Wrapped Endive Stuffed with Blue Cheese and Pear

Recently Shared

People have shared Belgian Endive using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

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