Varieties grown: Natacha, Eros, Curlesi

Escarole is a heading chicory related to lettuce and radicchio. On the flavor scale, it is somewhere between the sweetness of lettuce and the bitterness of radicchio. It is a traditional green in Mediterranean cooking; its flavor is complemented by acidic and savory ingredients. Endive is also in the chicory family; it’s crunchy and only somewhat bitter.

How to use it:

• Cooked with meatballs, broth, and orzo in maritata: traditional Italian Wedding Soup

• Sauted with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice; then served alone as a side or over pasta as a main course

• Halved and grilled lightly, then drizzled with Caesar dressing

• Chopped and combined with lettuce or other greens for a tossed salad with zing

How to store it: In the refrigerator, inside a non-breathable container (plastic bag, glass or plastic storage tub, etc.).