The folks at Mariquita Farm may not be the best at spelling Italian, but they are super at seeking out and growing really interesting vegetables. This weeks winning entry in the "what was interesting at the Farmers Market today?" contest is the beautiful light-green Radicchio Pan de Zucchero, or Sugerloaf Radicchio.
I thought I was doing well to know that radicchio came in two shapes: round (Palla Rossa) and long (Rossa di Treviso). I somehow assumed that it all was burgandy colored, but that was wrong. Indeed, without even getting into the marvelous color of the Sugerloaf radicchio, The Italian Cooks' Seed Company lists six types.
I tasted a leaf of the Sugarloaf and it is crunchy and bitter just like it's darker colored relatives. The folks at the stand suggested that if the bitterness bothers you, the heads can be grilled or roasted and then become sweeter. I'm sure that I'll be experimenting with olive oil, salt, pepper and roasting, but I'm also tempted to take advantage of the light green color of this variety and to put in a salad. Everyone will assume that it is sweet like romaine. The surprise could be delicious.
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