Available all year round, the leaf itself is ruby red with white-veined leaves where the colour intensifies once the weather gets cold.
When purchasing, it’s worth being aware that very small heads are less fresh and should be avoided. It is also a vegetable that does not like to become wet, so it needs to be wrapped in a paper towel before being placed in a bag and kept cool in the fridge. Similar to the shape of a lettuce heart, radicchio will last longer than most salad greens.
Harness the bitter and spicy taste of radicchio with sweet and/or salty flavours. Try this recipe from Photographer and Chef, Holly Wulf Peterson of Rye London, who uses pears and roquefort cheese to balance.