Forcing Chicory: A Guide
Forcing Chicory: A Guide to Growing Tender Winter Greens
Ready to grow some delicious, less-bitter winter greens? Learn how to force chicory for a bountiful winter harvest. Here's everything you need to know.
What is Forcing Chicory?
Forcing chicory is a process that produces tender, flavorful winter greens known as forced chicory. This method is particularly popular for heirloom chicory varieties like Tardivo chicory. Here's how to force chicory:
Steps to Force Chicory for Winter Harvest
- Plant in Early Autumn
- Plant chicory six weeks before the first predicted frost in your region to give the plants enough time to grow.
- Harvest After First Frost
- Once the first frost occurs, it's time to harvest the mature chicory plants.
- Tie, Blanch, and Force
- Gather chicory plants into bundles, securely tying them together.
- Immerse the base of the bundles in cold water or place them in a dark, cool room for 15 to 25 days.
- This process promotes the growth of new, less-bitter leaves within the heart of the plant.
- Prune and Prepare
- After blanching, strip the outer leaves to reveal the tender hearts.
- The root base can be shaved to create an appealing angled shape.
This method requires specific environmental conditions but rewards growers with a prized winter vegetable, perfect for salads or gourmet dishes.
Materials Needed
- Mature chicory plants ready for harvest
- Twine or string for bundling
- Dark, cool room or cellar to maintain light exclusion
- Container or trough with fresh, cool spring water for immersing the bundle bases
- Knife or tool for trimming roots and outer leaves after blanching
While every region may have slightly different timelines, following these steps will help you force chicory and enjoy tender winter greens. Embrace this traditional Italian method and start growing your own delicious chicory now!
To create a home-and-garden lifestyle that thrives during winter, consider growing your own tender winter greens by forcing chicory. This home-and-garden technique involves growing heirloom chicory varieties like Tardivo chicory, providing you with fresh, less-bitter greens perfect for salads or enhancing gourmet dishes.
