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Belgian Endive
Inventory, 10 lbs : 26.64
This item was last sold on : 09/24/23
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.
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| The Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Grass Skirt | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Et Voilà! French Bistro | San Diego CA | 858-610-8784 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Sano Y Punto | San Diego CA | 52-664--11--033 |
| Convention Center East | San Diego CA | 619-525-5832 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Pascucci Pasta | San Diego CA | 619-285-8000 |
| Thyme for Something Homemade | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-245-1004 |
| Surf Side Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-507-0891 |
| Hotel Del ENO Produce | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-838-8268 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| SB Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Quixote | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Botanica (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Beginners Diner | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
| West Brew | Del Mar CA | 858-412-4364 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Serea Restaurant | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Belgian Endive. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Lehigh Valley Style |
|
Belgian Endive with Gruyere and Prosciutto |
Recently Shared
Someone 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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Culina at Como Dempsey
Near Singapore, SingaporeAbout 579 days ago, 2/23/22 |
