Radicchio is a leaf chicory (Cichorium intybus, Asteraceae),
sometimes known as Italian chicory. It is grown as a leaf
vegetable which usually has white-veined red leaves. It has a
bitter and spicy taste, which mellows when it is grilled or
roasted. It can also be used to add colour and zest to salads.
In Italy, where the vegetable is quite popular, it is usually
eaten grilled in olive oil, or mixed into dishes such as
risotto: in the United States it is gaining in popularity but is
more often eaten raw in salads. As with all chicories, if grown
correctly its roots can be used to mix with coffee. It can also
be served with pasta, in strudel, as a poultry stuffing, or as
part of a tapenade. Belgian endive is also known as French
endive, witloof in the USA, chicory in the UK, as witlof (the
Dutch name) in Australia, endive in France, and chicon in parts
of Northern France and in Francophone parts of Belgium. It has a
small head of cream-coloured, bitter leaves. It is grown
completely underground or indoors in t