Radicchio Recipes

If you follow me on Instagram then you know that I’ve been eating a lot of radicchio lately. First up was radicchio from our own garden. It was satisfying beyond words to plant, grow, harvest and then gobble up our crop. Now that we’re back in Rome I’m relying on the Farmer’s Market to provide my fix. Because come this time of year the slightly bitter, crispy leafy vegetable is what I crave. And you must too, since you’ve been asking for radicchio recipes.

A lot of people think they don’t like radicchio. But chances are that the only radicchio they’ve ever tried is a variety called Radicchio di Chioggia. Those are the deep burgundy, very tight heads that are usually available all year round in your local supermarket. I have to say that for the most part, I try to avoid them. They are intensely bitter, and also slightly tough. I much prefer other varieties like Treviso Tardivo, with it’s curly cue ends; Castelfranco with it’s speckled leaves; and Treviso which kind of tastes and looks like wine colored endive. But in a pinch, I’ll definitely devour a head of Chioggia.

Even if you’re not a radicchio expert, at the very least you’ve probably come across some sort of raw radicchio leaf in a mixed salad.But when I make a radicchio salad I use the entire head, making it all about the radicchio. While other types of endive (Radicchio is actually a type of endive) like puntarelle or curly endive call for strong garlicky or anchovy laden dressing, I like to pair the bitter radicchio leaves with something sweet. Fruit for sure, fresh or dried, and this is the one salad where I welcome the sweet/sour addition of balsamic vinegar.

Did you know that radicchio even better cooked? The bitterness is tamed slightly and pairs perfectly with cheese or grilled meats.

And of course radicchio makes the perfect topping for creamy starchy pasta or risotto. In fact, I’m about to leave my office to go to the kitchen to make a video of one of my favorite quick lunches, Pasta with Radicchio and Blue Cheese. Sorry no recipe yet! But it will be up on IGTV soon.

But I do have tons of other great (and easy!) radicchio recipes that should satisfy your cravings in the meantime.

Radicchio and Tuna Pasta
Radicchio and Blood Orange Salad
Radicchio and Blue Cheese Salad
Radicchio and Pear Salad
Radicchio Risotto
Roasted Radicchio and Pine Nuts
Roasted Radicchio and Cured Pork
Radicchio Salad with Guanciale Dressing
Radicchio, Pear and Walnut Salad
Too Pretty To Eat Radicchio Salad

Radicchio di Treviso

Radicchio di Treviso

Radicchio di Treviso

Radicchio Tardivo di Treviso

Radicchio di Castelfranco

Radicchio di Chioggia

You can find more recipes in my books, The Italian Table, and Eating Rome.

If you’d like to join me in Italy  we’ll be cooking and eating dishes like this during our Food Tours we have planned. You can find more information, including the dates, here.

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