Pink "Lettuce" Cichorium intybus
30 seeds
 
You may or may not have heard of the latest food craze but pink lettuce has found its way into the health food stores and beyond. Although the new craze is being referred to as a pink lettuce, it is actually Radicchio, an Italian classic with a whole new look.

Radicchio is a vegetable that is planted in summer or fall for a winter harvest. The plant changes drastically as temperatures cool and it actually thrives in frost.

There are methods used to intensify the color of radicchio, particularly varieties like these that are particularly beautiful. The method is called forcing and it is not difficult. You simply dig up the plant or plants in fall, cut off the heads, cut the roots to 12 inches long and pot it in peat moss. Then you cover the plant so it is in the dark, any pail or bucket will do and allow it to regrow at 50-60 degrees. A basement works well but if you don't have one, you can keep it outside if temperatures are in this range, just be sure to completely cover the plant so it is in complete darkness. A plack pail would be good in this case. The plant will regrow as shown in the photo, in a beautiful shade of pink with a sweet taste with just a touch of bitter that radicchio is famous for.

Another method is referred to as blanching, where 1-2 weeks before harvest, you tie up the leaves with the plant still in place in the ground and cover it with a pail as described above. Make sure leaves are dry when you do this. This will lighten the color and sweeten the flavor.

You will notice that the two photos are different shades of pink, which all depends on the treatment of the radicchio, colors can range from light to hot pink.

You don't have to do either of these methods, you can just let it grow as is. It is still beautiful and tasty.

These should be planted when temperatures are between 60 and 68 degrees. If you summers are cool, plant now. If your summers are hot, plant in autumn.

Harvest in 130-150 days.

This is for 30 Certified Organic Non-GMO seeds

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