Everwilde Farms - 2000 Rossa Di Verona Radicchio Endive Seeds - Gold Vault Jumbo Bulk Seed Packet

Developed by Italians in the 1950s, this "radicchio" boasts striking ruby leaves that form a solid round head. Add this to a green salad or a gourmet casserole for distinct color and flavor. Northerners will enjoy planting this variety because it thrives in cooler weather. Endive makes an excellent fall crop because light frost sweetens it, but extreme heat causes bitterness or bolting. Radaccio, a member of the chicory or endive family, most likely originated in Egypt or the Mediterranean region. Pliny the Elder praised its medicinal properties, stating that it purified the blood and cured insomnia. By 1200 AD, many varieties of endive were known throughout Europe. Endive still thrives in the gardens and kitchens of Mediterranean countries, especially Italy, where it often makes a tasty addition to salads. Italian chicory or radicchio, such as Rossa di Verona, was developed in the 15th century in the Veneto region of Italy.