Chicory: season and benefits
Seasonal calendar - Chicory
Nutritional values
Very low in calories (17 kcal), chicory is rich in folate and selenium, a rare antioxidant in vegetables.
Storage
Store chicory in the vegetable drawer, wrapped in absorbent paper, away from light which makes it turn green and more bitter. It keeps 5 to 6 days in the fridge. Remove the first leaves if they yellow. It does not freeze well raw but can be frozen when braised.
Origin
Chicory was discovered by chance in Belgium around 1850. A Belgian farmer, Jan Lammers, had forgotten chicory roots in his dark cellar, and white shoots had appeared. Chicory cultivation then developed in northern France, which today accounts for 80% of national production. It is also called "chicon" in northern France and Belgium.
Cooking Chicory
Goes well with
Recipe ideas
- Chicory and ham gratin
- Chicory salad with walnuts and Stilton
- Braised chicory with honey
- Chicory tarte Tatin
- Chicory soup
Did you know?
Chicory grows entirely in the dark: it is the "forcing" technique that gives it its whiteness and characteristic sweetness.