*This seed is offered as part of the "Gusto Italiano Project", a collaborative partnership between Uprising Seeds, Italian breeders Smarties.Bio, and the Culinary Breeding Network. Certified organic seed is grown in Italy by Smarties.Bio.
Variety: "Sorgente" Type: Variegato di Lusia Day to Maturity (slot): 60 (extra-early)
The "Variegato" types are among our very favorite radicchio for their beauty and versatility in both raw or wedged and cooked preparations. Sorgente, an extra early slotting "Lusia" is an exciting new addition, maturing almost a week before our earliest Castelfrancho, "Mirabella". An excellent choice for markets as they display beautifully without the extra work of "fluffing" (opening the heads) that the Castelfranco types require.
Variegato di Lusia can be though of as a loose chioggia type with similar shape, same diffuse veining, but much milder bitterness Like many of the pale to gold radicchi its bitterness is in the background and its texture most akin to lettuce family greens with a tender crisp crunch (think iceberg meets romaine for an after-dinner amaro). Its a beautiful addition to salads shredded raw and we'll always recommend grilled wedges for just about any of the radicchio types. An excellent choice to win people over to this family of bitter delights or to dip a toe in yourself.
