Lettuce chicory , like lettuce, is a leafy vegetable. However, chicory is much richer in nutrients than the more popular lettuce, and its roots are suitable for winter driving. Thanks to this, chicory is a perfect supplement to the diet in a period when we lack vitamins from fresh vegetables. See whatgrowing chicory , driving chicory in winter and see what salad and other dishes taste likechicory dishes !
Lettuce chicory is widely used in the kitchen
Growing lettuce
Thegrowing lettuce chicoryspeaks not only for the nutritional value of this vegetable, but also the fact that chicory heads available in stores in winter are quite expensive and not always of the best quality. Lettuce chicory is a biennial vegetable. We grow it from sowing seeds. In the first year, chicory forms a rosette of leaves and a thickened root (somewhat similar to the root of parsley). These roots are used for forcing in winter.
Chicory requirements, growing area
Lettuce chicorydoes not have high heat requirements and you can successfully grow it on your garden plot.Cultivation of chicoryis best done on a site with permeable humus soil, with a neutral pH. The soil should be fertile but should not be fertilized with manure just before sowing.
Sowing chicory seeds
To obtain roots forchicoryforcing in winter, sow the chicory seeds in late May or early June.Sow the seeds to a depth of about 1.5 cm. Preferably, every 8 to 10 cm. 30 to 40 cm spacing between the rows. Then a two-gram package of seeds is enough to sow a bed of up to 10 m².
Water demand of lettuce chicory is high during the growing season. Plants need to be watered regularly, especially in times of drought. They will pay you back with a much higher yield. Besides, remember about weeding and loosening the inter-rows. Fertilization will also be beneficial. Use a multi-component fertilizer, eg Azofoska, in the amount of 200 to 300 grams of Azofoska per 10 m². People avoiding the use of mineral fertilizers can fertilize with natural fertilizers, such as biohumus.
Forcing chicory
Roots forforcing chicorycan be harvested from late September to late autumn. Roots 3 to 5 cm in diameter and 18 to 20 cm long are best suited for storage and forcing. Cut off the leaves from the roots (middle leaves can be eaten) so that only about 2 cm of leaf base remains at the root.If lateral roots grow back from the main root, cut them off too.
If you don't rush the roots right away, store them in a cool, frost-free room. High air humidity (over 90%) is required. The roots must be placed flat in boxes with moist sand.
Chicory chirpingmay be carried out successively during the winter. Fill the pots with composted soil or soil taken from the garden. You can put 3 roots in a pot with a diameter of 24 cm. Place them vertically and fill the pots with soil so that the remnants of the leaves stick out above the ground. Place the pots in a dark place (preferably out of light) at 10 to 20 ° C and keep the soil moist at all times.
If you do not have a dark room, you can simply cover the pots in planted chicory roots. Remember that under the cover there is enough space for the growing head of chicory. Plastic pots of the same diameter as the pots with planted roots will provide a good cover.If the pots to be covered have holes, they should be covered, e.g. by lining the pot with aluminum foil. Then place the pot upside down so as to cover the pot with brushed roots.The heads emerging from the roots should be ready for consumption after about a month. Cut them just above the ground.
Chicory dishes
To make the best use of the nutrients in the creamy white chicory leaves, it is best to eat them raw. Although some people also prepare cookedchicory dishesThe leaves of the lettuce chicory have a slightly tart, bitter taste. For this reason, they are eaten in combination with other ingredients. They are an excellent addition to various salads, which give a characteristic flavor.
Chicory salad - my grandfather's recipe
I myself have often amazed my guests with the taste of winter chicory salad . To prepare this salad, I take the leaves off the head and wash them carefully. The decayed leaves and the hard interior of the head must be discarded.When the leaves are dry, I cut them crosswise into thin slices. I add diced orange (1 orange for 2 chicory), some raisins (it is worth soaking them in hot water for a while to soften them) and crushed walnuts. I mix everything together with mayonnaise. You can also season it, although it is enough for me as it is. I'm telling you… pride! And an excellent source of vitamins in the middle of winter: -)See also:
