Winter Radicchio

Greens like kale and swiss chard are plentiful at this time of year, but another greens family common in Italy is chicory, or cicoria.  The chicory family includes various greens, including puntarelle from Rome and Belgium endive, but the most beautiful and famous are the radicchios from the Veneto.

Known as far back as Roman times, there are many different radicchios varieties and they each carry the name of the town in the Veneto region around which they are grown. The round, cabbage-shaped Chioggia is the most common in the US and is grown in America, but in Italy there are many different varieties and the time of year between Christmas and Easter brings a welcome flood of them to the marketplace. 

The oldest and most famous is the Treviso, which is long and shaped like romaine lettuce; it has protected status and can only be grown around the town of Treviso and a few towns outside Venice and Padova.  There is also the Castelfranco, with variegated creamy leaves speckled with red, and the Verona with full shaped round heads.

The tardivo is known for the chef-hat shape, strong white ribs and trimmed root.These heads are harvested soon after the first November frost, the root is carefully trimmed and they are kept in circulating spring water, which brings on crisp new shoots.  You only find them in the winter and they are wonderful, crisp and bittersweet.  

All radicchio are great raw in salads and can be grilled or saut�ed with a sprinkle of olive oil and sea salt.

Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Costco! 

Just to remind everyone that the new olive oil 2010 from Tuscany has arrived at the Costco stores.  If you're not a member, it is totally worth the membership!  Best deal on excellent EVO in America.  Look for the 1 liter dark green glass bottle, Kirkland brand, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with the word "TOSCANO" and below that the year 2010.  It's between $9.99 and $11.99 a bottle, depending on the store.  When it's gone, you have to wait till next year when we press and bottle more.  Buy several bottles, use it on everything and enjoy!

Only a few more stops on the Winter Tour - sign up directly with the school...and hurry! Gina sells out fast! 

Philadelphia area: In the Kitchen Cooking School,Haddonfield, NJ- March 8  

Widener University, Chester, PA: March 9, Tuscan Dinner, 4 courses paired with Castello Banfi wines, Sold Out! 

Institute for Culinary Education,- NYC Mar 10 Hands-on class

Purdue University - Black Tie dinner, April 15, 16 click here for info  Italian Cuisine paired with Castello Banfi wines

�Dallas - March 21

�Ft. Worth March 22

�Austin March 23

�Houston March 24

�San Antonio March 25

�Plano March 28

�Southlake March 29

Gina's menu will focus on spices used in Italy. The menu includes saffron risotto, stuffed crepes with asparagus and prosciutto, Medieval duck ragu and pears in spiced wine.