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Broad Leaf Chicory Eel's Head - Cichorium endivia

Cichorium endivia Tête d'Anguille
Endive

1 reviews
5,0/5
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Very fine and delicious root vegetable. A must-try for those who are not familiar with it.

Clairte, 05/01/2021

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

A very unique old variety, cultivated for its long smooth roots measuring 30 cm (12in), resembling an eel's head. They are consumed steamed or in gratin. Sowing from May to June for a harvest from September to December.
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
20 cm
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Germination time (days)
8 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
Sowing period May to June
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time July to September
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Harvest time September to December
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

This Chicory is a very unique old variety, cultivated for its smooth roots, 30 cm (12in) long resembling an eel's head. They are consumed steamed or gratin. Sowing from May to June for a harvest from September to December.

This is a vegetable that almost disappeared. Originally in the 19th century, it was a renowned coffee chicory variety. From the beginning of the 20th century, market gardeners around Dunkirk cultivated it as a vegetable in their gardens. In the 1950s, it was abandoned as coffee chicory. Only its consumption as a root vegetable has survived, mainly between Calais and Dunkirk.

Chicory roots are consumed cooked in juice, gratin, creamed, braised or in béchamel sauce. Chicory also has purifying and laxative properties.

Harvest: Chicory roots are harvested as needed from September onwards.

Storage: It can be stored for a few days in a cool place after harvesting.

Gardener's tip: Regular hoeing and weeding is recommended, and mulching is advised in case of drought.

Harvest

Harvest time September to December
Type of vegetable Root vegetable
Vegetable colour white
Size of vegetable Medium
Interest Flavour, Productive
Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 20 cm
Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour medium green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Botanical data

Genus

Cichorium

Species

endivia

Cultivar

Tête d'Anguille

Family

Asteraceae

Other common names

Endive

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Biennial

Planting and care

Sowing:

The seeds are placed in a flat furrow 5 cm (2in) wide and 2 cm (1in) deep. It is important to sow thinly and cover the seeds with a little fine soil (half a centimetre). The rows are then lightly firmed with the back of a rake. Germination takes about 8 days. The rows should be spaced 30 cm (12in) apart.

The young plants will then be thinned every 30 cm (12in) along the row, and they can also be transplanted elsewhere in the vegetable garden when they have 7 or 8 leaves.

Maintenance:

To prevent diseases that attack chicories, such as powdery mildew or rust, regular hoeing and weeding is important, as well as practicing a good crop rotation every 3 to 4 years.

Watering should be generous and frequent. Mulching is beneficial.

Seedlings

Sowing period May to June
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
Germination time (days) 8 days

Care

Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil Light
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130
5/5

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