Red Ribbed Catalogna Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Red Ribbed Catalonia (Cichorium intybus): this is a cutting variety. The head has an erect posture but the coasts do not develop too much which makes it remain tender when cooked. It differs from the common Catalonia because of its intense red color and less bitter taste. Catalonia can be harvested several times by cutting the head at the base so that it can grow back. Sowing on seedbed can begin in June and last until October for the hottest regions. It adapts to all soils but it is good to avoid water stagnation. It enjoys a rich soil, it is useful to alternate it with those parts of the garden fertilised for the spring crops. It allows for many recipes, boiled  and sautéd, used as pasta dressing, and even baked. It has wonderful nutritional properties, it's low in calories ( 100 gr per 10 kcal), rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus, and lots of vitamins, mainly A, C, B2 and B3.

Excellent for a varied and complete garden. The plant is biennial, to collect the seeds you will have allow the best ones to reach full maturity and produce seeds the spring after, important to cover the plants with TNT fabric  if the temperatures approach 0°.