Harvest Monday, January 4, 2016 – Radicchio

Palla Rosa Mavrik Radicchio

I’m so happy to be back. Was absent from the blogging world for part of November and all of December due to minor health issue, nothing serious, just pain in my right hip and knee that sapped my energy.

After resting, paying attention to the kinds of activities I engage in and remembering not to overdo things I ended the year on a good note. Started the new year on an even better note. My energy level has returned and am able to walk normally again. I also started the New Year with a happy  post. Click here to view “A Charlie Brown Christmas” the post will put a smile on your face.

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Due to the unusually warm November and December, my second planting on July 5, 2015 of radicchio that I didn’t think was going to be successful all formed solid heads. (My first transplants on May 2, 2015 were eaten by a woodchuck).

Snow and freezing rain were in the forecast for December 28 night, so brought in most of my radicchio that day (left a couple in the garden to see how they will fare over the next few months). I cut each head at soil level leaving the roots in the ground undisturbed and mulched with shredded leaves, in the spring baby radicchio will appear for spring treats.

Palla Rosa Mavrik Radicchio

Isn’t the above a good looking group? Part of the harvest went home with my daughter.

Palla Rosa Mavrik Radicchio

All the radicchios were from the same seed packet, don’t know why the one above is different in color from the rest? (it is the one in the middle of the group photo).

Palla Rosa Mavrik Radicchio

The radicchio on the left is the largest, weighing in at 10+ ounces. With proper storage, they will last a few months in the refrigerator.

To Store:
1. Remove all damaged and/or blemished outer leaves.
2. Rinse to remove any soil and debris. Pat dry and leave on counter to drain well.
3. Wrap in clean dry paper towel and place in plastic bag. Refrigerate.

To use:
Remove the outer leaves from each as needed, rewrap and return to refrigerator. Replacing paper towel with dry ones if needed.

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On 12/28/15 also harvested 2 small heads of napa, they did not form solid heads but still usable. Cut the outer leaves of each thinly and added to a vegetable soup. The inner more tender leaves were made into a simple stir-fry with leeks in ginger and garlic infused oil.

Napa Cabbage

The napa on the left weighed a bit under a pound the one on the right weighed about ¾ pound.

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Prior to December 28, I was harvesting as needed from the garden and windowboxes (will write a post on my windowboxes next Monday). The crops below were harvested on December 21.

Left to right – Top: Large Smooth Prague Celeriac & Palla Rosa Mavrik Radicchio. Bottom: Lutz Beets, Flat Leaves Parsley & Lettuce

Celeriac, radicchio, beets and parsley were from the garden. Lettuce from the windowbox.

The celeriac and parsley went into a stew together with previously harvested leeks, onions and parsnips.

The beets were simmered together with some pork bones to make a delicious soup.

Radicchio and lettuce became part of a salad.

Decided to take a chance and left most of the celeriac, beets, leeks, parsnips and collard in the garden to harvest as needed throughout the winter months. They are heavily mulched with shredded leaves but not protected. Hope I made the right decision.

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Happy Gardening!

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Copyright © by Norma Chang. All Rights Reserved. Do not use/repost any photos and/or articles without permission.

Do visit Michelle at From Seed to Table for more Harvest Mondays