Variegato di Lusia Radicchio

Variegato di Lusia is one of the few varieties of radicchio without IGP protections. IGP is the label the European Union gives to vegetable varieties, wine, etc. to indicate that a product is specific to a given region and cannot be marketed under the official title if grown elsewhere. As such, this radicchio is named for the town of Lusia. We also happen to think it’s a particularly pretty group of radicchio.

The heads are round - like Chioggia types - but much less dense. The outer leaves are green and fade to a buttery yellow towards the heart. All of the leaves, both outer and inner, are flecked with red that becomes more pronounced as you go from the outer leaves to the inner. The leaf texture is supple, the most lettuce-like of all radicchio. Variegato di Lusia types are great grilled, sauteed, or served raw.

When to Find: November-February

Varieties: Bornio Tardiva, Adige