Vegetable
Castelfranco
A tier
Castelfranco is a soft, creamy-yellow chicory head freckled with red—more open and tender than tight Chioggia radicchio, with milder bitterness and a rose-like appearance. Veneto tradition treats it as a delicate salad chicory. Leaves bruise easily and need gentle handling. Use raw as a whole-leaf salad showpiece; light warm dressing wilts edges prettily. Avoid heavy braising that destroys the cream-and-red beauty. Peak after cool nights.
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Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
Gentle Handle RawLight OilShowcase PlateWarm Dressing WiltWhole Leaf Salad
Traits
Cream Red FreckleDelicateDelicate SaladMilderMilder BitterRose LookSoft Open HeadSpeckled Cream
History
IT
Castelfranco Veneto growers selected freckled cream chicory heads.
IT
Castelfranco radicchio gained protected regional fame in the Veneto.
Export specialty markets introduced Castelfranco to global chefs.
Castelfranco remained a premium speckled chicory for fine salads.