Puntarella Chicory
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Puntarella is a chicory variety that is comparatively unique in its appearance versus common chicory. Its base is creamy white and dense with thick white and green hollow shoots and branching toothy serrated elongated greens that come to a point. Each Puntarella base can contain up to twenty shoots. Puntarella is known for its crispy texture and its peppered and distinct flavor characteristic of chicory plants. Its shoots are less robust than its greens with flavor undertones reminiscent of fennel with a textural crunch of celery.
Seasons/Availability
Puntarella chicory is available during the winter months.
Current Facts
Puntarella, botanically classified as Cichorium intybus Puntarella, is a herbaceous perennial grown as an annual fresh market green. Known both as a shooting and head type of chicory it is most commonly sold today with the shoots removed from its core. In Italy, it is also sometimes sold at a higher price pre-sliced and soaked as a time saver for those not wishing to hassle with the lengthy classic Puntarella preparation procedure.
