I’m no chump when it comes to chicory. I’ve heard of puntarelle before today. I’ve even eaten puntarelle before today. But (before today) I’d never seen it outside a restaurant and I’ve certainly never been able to buy it.
I’m pleased to say that has now changed. The Hollywood Farmers Market had puntarelle on the aisle and I snatched up a bunch of it. I’m glad I did too. It was in limited supply and going fast. By the time I arrived about 9 am, the farmer who had it for sale was down to his last 2 heads. So I grabbed what I could without really having any idea what I was going to do with it, but at $3 each how could I go wrong?
I immediately went home and opened up Domenica Marchetti’s book The Glorious Vegetables of Italy. I may not know much about puntarelle, but I know it’s an Italian vegetable and I know it’s glorious. I also know, if anyone could help me with this bitter green it was Domenica Marchetti.
Sure enough, right there on page 26 the book introduces its readers to puntarelle in a section outlining the chicory family (a group of Italian greens featuring endive, escarole, radicchio, etc).
According to The Glorious Vegetables of Italy, puntarelle is typical of the region around Rome and is commonly used in a bold, anchovy-dressed Puntarelle alla Romana salad. I was intrigued by this unusual vegetable and did further research on Domenica’s website (Domenica Cooks) where I learned how to prep this bitter Italian vegetable. It’s fortunate I found this information too because I never would have guessed that I needed to tame this wild green by curling it. Which fortunately isn’t as hard as it sounds.
When you purchase puntarelle it will look a bit like some of the other chicories you may have worked with before. However, if you pull back the spiky leaves you’ll see that they encase some other-worldly green and white stalks. My first thought was that this vegetable was a cross between asparagus spears and Seymour (the man-eating plant from Little Shop of Horrors). Yikes!
Don’t be horrified. Instead get to work prepping the vegetable for the Puntarelle alla Romana recipe I adapted from Domenica Marchetti. It takes some time to do properly and it’s a task quite different than any other kitchen chore you may have engaged in before. That’s what makes this recipe so fun.
How to Prep Puntarelle
Begin by pulling off all the spiky green leaves surrounding each stalk (even the little tiny leaves). You can save them for the soup pot or you can toss them into hot pasta. Raw puntarelle leaves will brighten a mixed green salad too.
Once you’ve shucked it clean, take a look at the little monster that’s left in front of you. He’s a lot less scary without his jagged, leafy cloak. Use a paring knife to cut each stalk away from the base of the plant. The larger outer stalks will be easy to identify and remove independently. Some of the interior, smaller stalks will be more fused together– a lot like cauliflower. Just decide where to separate them lengthwise and go for it. You can’t mess this up.
The individual stalks you create should be mostly hollow, like mature fennel fronds. If they aren’t trim away a bit more of their tough white bases. Halve all the stalks lengthwise, and then cut each half lengthwise, again and again, into very thin strips following the fibers as a guide. You’ll be left with a big pile of green ribbons of varying lengths.
Next, prepare an ice bath in a large bowl and submerge the sliced puntarelle ribbons. Let them soak at least 30 minutes, they will curl up in the most delightful way.
When you’re ready to eat, drain and dry the puntarelle well. Then toss the curls with anchovy vinaigrette and serve the salad with homemade croutons or good crusty bread. GREG
Puntarelle alla Romana Salad with Anchovy Dressing
Print This Recipe Yield 2–4Source Adapted from Domenica MarchettiPublishedDetailed instruction on prepping and curling puntarelle can be found here: http://www.sippitysup.com/puntarelle-alla-romana-salad/
Ingredients
- 2 heads fresh puntarelle (or other chicory)
- icy water (as needed for ice bath)
- 1 clove garlic (peeled and chopped)
- 4 oil-packed anchovy fillets (drained)
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- 4 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- homemade croutons (or crusty bread for serving)
Directions
Wash and prep the puntarelle then cut the stalk lengthwise into ribbons (see note). Place them into a bowl of ice water until they curl up, at least 30 minutes.
In the bowl of a mini food processor, combine the garlic, anchovies and vinegar, pulse 4 or 5 times to combine. Start the machine and slowly drizzle in the oil until a thick and creamy emulsification is achieved. Season with crushed red pepper flakes, pulse 5 or 6 more times to combine. You may alternatively make the dressing using a mortar and pestle to create the anchovy paste and a bowl and whisk to achieve the olive oil emulsification.
Drain and dry the puntarelle ribbons and place in a large bowl. Add a big drizzle of the dressing and toss well to coat; repeat as needed until dressed to taste. Serve with homemade croutons.
Whole, raw puntarelle photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
Love, love, love this!!! It’s hard to get here in NYC but when available it’s not cheap!!! Thus is one of my favorite salads!
I cannot recommend this too highly: when it is post pandemic DO go to Rome in January. Best month to visit. Walk into any exhibit or restaurant just about any time you want. AND, January is puntarelle season and puntarelle IS Roman.
I have some growing in my Fall garden right now in Ohio.
Correction: the plant in little shop of horrors is named Audrey 2. Seymour is the hapless Rick Moranis chracter. Otherwise a fine dissertation on puntarelle.
Something new for me, but I really enjoyed it! Great evening, awesome food, amazing company — thanks! Next time I’ll have that big-girl cocktail and Uber home!
Whoa! I’ve been a chump about chicory, but suddenly I see more standing beside me…sweet understanding, puntarelle’s my friend! (apologies to Howard Ashman rolling over in grave).
While I have heard of puntarelle, I have never seen one and certainly didn’t know about its secret core. This is one of the most interesting posts — really! I had no idea! Thanks, Greg! Hope you two had a nice Valentine’s Day.
I never heard of puntarelle but I like all its cousins and other family members, so I’m sure I’d enjoy this. The prep process not so much.
Greg, puntarelle is a new one on me! I’m going to be on the lookout for it now. It looks so pretty after its curling!
Greg, puntarelle is a new one on me! I’m going to be on the lookout for it now. It looks so pretty after its curling!
I have never come across puntarelle, however that dressing looks killer!
Honestly I never heard of this before. I’d like to meet it, as I never met a green I didn’t love.
Complete puntarelle and chickory virgin checking in here. You find the most unique fruits and vegetables, Greg. I learn a lot coming to Sippity Sup.
Other than rarely in an Italian restaurant, I’ve only ever seen puntarelle once at a greengrocer in Australia. I’m not a big fan of bitter but I always order this if it’s on the menu.
Nicely done, Greg. Good description of the prep process, too. Those clumpy chicory heads can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with them. Wish we could get them here in VA. BTW, there’s a great online see company called Seeds From Italy (www.growitalian.com) that sells seeds for all kinds of chicory, including puntarelle, for anyone who is a gardener. Cheers, D.
Thank you Domenica!
Boy, I so rarely see this in the supermarket. I do see it in restaurants, so obviously it’s available, and I sometimes see it in farmer’s markets. I need to make an effort to source some — this is such a nice recipe. But anything with anchovies has my number on it! Thanks.
I’ve heard of chicory but have never tasted it that I know of! I love the brightness of this salad, it looks so fresh and tasty! Beautiful!
OK I guess I’m a complete chump when it comes to puntarelle — I’ve never heard of it, seen it, or tasted it anywhere…but I love bitter flavors so I’ll keep an eye out for it, it looks lovely!