What is witlof good for?

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Witlof is high in vitamin C, and is a good source of protein, carbohydrates and potassium. It also contains phosphorous, calcium, and traces of zinc, iron and manganese.

Is witlof a cabbage?

Witlof is a much-loved vegetable in the Netherlands. Better known as Belgian endive in the States, it is one of the three types of cultivated chicory (radicchio and Sugarloaf are the other two) that come in many varieties.

Is witlof the same as chicory?

Chicory is a leafy vegetable that is part of the Endive family, and is also commonly referred to as witlof. What is considered to be a very unique vegetable, also in the way it’s produced, it’s all about the flavour.

Is witlof the same as endive?

Botanically, it is not a true endive, but is a member of the chicory genus, related to another favourite bitter vegetable of mine – radicchio. It is grown indoors or underground in caves, in sunless conditions in order to produce the tender blanched leaves.

How do you use Witlof?

Ways to eat Eat raw as a salad vegetable, on its own or mixed with other salad greens. Cheese goes well with witloof. Braise whole or sliced, and serve with a sauce. Stuff and bake, add sliced to stir fries, add to flans, curries or pies.

How do you store a Witlof?

Blanched witlof turns green and bitter if exposed to light. To prevent this, pack in 5kg boxes between blue or green paper. Store witlof at 2 to 3oC and 95% relative humidity if necessary for two to four weeks.

What is similar to witlof?

Witlof and radicchio de Treviso look alike for a reason, they are cultivated in a similar manner. Just like white asparagus, the leaves are grown away from the sunlight, stopping the affects of chlorophyll and thus them developing a rich green colour.

What is another name for witlof?

Witloof is also known as chicory, endive or Belgium endive. Witloof is a Dutch name that translates as white leaf.

What can I use instead of witlof?

Witlof, sometimes written as witloof, is also known as chicory, endive or Belgium endive. Remove any loose, damaged or discoloured leaves, trim the stalk before using and remove bitter core from the root end. Substitute baby cos lettuce leaves for witlof. Small radicchio leaves would work well too.

Where is Witloof from?

Belgium
Then about two hundred years ago, a farmer in Belgium made a startling discovery. The witloof chicory roots he’d stored in his root cellar had sprouted. However, they didn’t grow their normal dandelion-like leaves. Instead, the chicory roots grew a compact, pointed head of leaves much like Cos lettuce.

Where is Witlof from?

Australia
Witlof is a Flemish name for white leaf and the story goes that it was discovered accidentally in the 1800’s in Belgium, when someone stored some chicory roots in the dark and discovered they had grown these white leaves. It is grown for most of the year in Australia but is not as well known as some other vegetables.

What does Witloof look like?

Look for crisp, firm, compact heads that are creamy white with pale yellow tips.

Is witlof the same as radicchio?

Perhaps more similar in appearance than in genus, they look, as Maggie Beer so eloquently describes them, like “an elongated tulip, with more tightly packed leaves.” Radicchio with a deep red-wine tint and witlof is creamy white with a soft, apple-green colouring around the edges.

What is an alternative to chicory?

Radicchio belongs to the same family as the chicory family, which is why they also taste similar to each other. However, radicchio doesn’t have the same bitterness as endives. So, if bitterness is not an issue for you, you can use radicchio instead of endive.

How do you eat Witlof?

Eat raw as a salad vegetable, on its own or mixed with other salad greens. Cheese goes well with witloof. Braise whole or sliced, and serve with a sauce. Stuff and bake, add sliced to stir fries, add to flans, curries or pies.

What does witloof look like?

How do you grow Witlof?

To grow witloof for its leaves, sow seeds in rows around 25cm apart, spacing each plant between 5cm and 25cm apart. The closer spacings will produce smaller leaves, ideal as a cut and come again salad crop. Using the full 25cm will allow heart production as well as larger, tougher leaves to be used as a cooked green.

What is Witloof called in New Zealand?

In New Zealand it is called either witloof or chicory. However, the British call it chicory and the French call it endive or Belgium endive. There is also a type of lettuce that the French call chicory and is known as endive in Britain and New Zealand. Witloof has a slightly bitter and nutty flavour.

What can I do with Witloof?

What does Witloof taste like?

Witloof has a slightly bitter and nutty flavour. The roots in some strains can be used as a coffee substitute. Radicchio is a red-leafed variety of witloof. It adds an interesting colour and taste to winter salads. Look for crisp, firm, compact heads that are creamy white with pale yellow tips.

What is the difference between Lettuce and witloof?

There is also a type of lettuce that the French call chicory and is known as endive in Britain and New Zealand. Witloof has a slightly bitter and nutty flavour. The roots in some strains can be used as a coffee substitute. Radicchio is a red-leafed variety of witloof.

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