Chicory Pain de Sucre (Sugarloaf) AGM Seeds
Vegetable Seeds from Sow Seeds Ltd
Chicory Pain de Sucre, also known as Sugarloaf, is a large, leafy variety of chicory which resembles a cos lettuce. It is a good alternative for late-season salads but it will only stand mild frosts. As the name suggests it has a sweeter taste than most chicories which tend to be quite bitter.
There are three main types of Chicory; forcing types like Witloof, Red Chicory (otherwise known as Radicchio) and Sugarloaf types that resemble large-hearted Lettuce.
It is very popular in many European countries but not so widely grown or eaten in the UK due to its bitter taste. Blanching reduces the bitterness and we find its crispness is very welcome in winter salads.
How to cook:
Non-forcing Chicories are mainly used in salads in the Autumn and Winter. Use as the basis for a salad with orange or walnuts and blue cheese, for example. Or use it with other leaves in a mixed salad.
Chicory can also be braised in a number of ways on its own, or mixed with other leafy vegetables like chard, spinach or kale. Put in boiling salted water for 2 minutes then drain. Fry some garlic in olive oil add the drained greens, season and stir fry for a minute. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and serve as a side dish.
Chicory Pain de Sucre Seed Information
Seed Quantity: | Approx 600 seeds per pack. |
Site: | Requires prepared soil with plenty of compost |
When to Sow: | Sow directly April to August |
How to Sow: | Rake a general fertilizer in a few days before sowing. Sow seed thinly 15mm deep in rows 25cm apart. Ideal temp. 10-21°C. Germination takes 7-10 days approx. Thin seedlings to 30cm spacing. Water until established. Harvest heads in autumn or if harvesting later offer cloche protection |
Care: | Grows to 30-40cm, but requires a bit of staking - pea sticks do a great job. Pick pods regularly when 2-3cm long to ensure longer cropping and the tenderest of pods. |
Harvest: |
Harvest heads in autumn or if harvesting later offer cloche protection. June to February |
When to Sow Chicory Pain de Sucre Vegetable Seeds
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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