Belgian Endive

Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 9.89
This item was last sold on : 07/06/25

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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.

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Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
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Pacific Yacht Agents	Los Angeles CA	808-214-0970
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San Diego Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-758-6334
Ron Oliver	San Diego	619-295-3172
Waverly	Cardiff CA	619-244-0416
Burgo Direct	Chula Vista CA	619-793-2325
La Bonne Table	San Diego CA	619-887-7706
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
Pali Wine Company	San Diego CA	310-893-0038
Tartine	Coronado CA	619-435-4323
Kona Kai Resort and Marina	San Diego CA	619-221-8000
Sushi Ota 2021	San Diego CA	858-270-5047
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LANA	Solana Beach CA	602-758-2596
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Lauberge Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-259-1515
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The Lion Share 2025	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
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The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
Marisi La Jolla	La Jolla CA	951-852-6730
Rustic Root	San Diego CA	619-232-1747
Trust Restaurant	San Diego CA	609-780-7572
SIE Culinary Management	San Diego CA	858-964-8677
Vulture / Dreamboat	San Diego CA	858-342-3609

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Belgian Endive. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Well Fed		Grilled Belgian Endive with Quince Vinaigrette
Meathenge		Braised Endive
Cook Almost Anything		Caramelised Endive Tart
The New York Times		Seared Belgian Endive With Walnut Gremolata
Natural Noshing		Endive with Shrimp Salad
Lehigh Valley Style		Belgian Endive with Gruyere and Prosciutto
Food Republic		Vegetarian Endive Salad With Creamy Pine Nut Dressing And Shaved Parmesan
Natural Noshing		Prosciutto- Wrapped Endive Stuffed with Blue Cheese and Pear
Our Salty Kitchen		Winter Harvest Endive Appetizer Cups
Seattle Food Geek		Roasted Endive Salad with Prosciutto, Figs and Pistachios