{"product_id":"italian-dandelion-catalogna-chicory-seeds","title":"Italian Dandelion - Catalogna Chicory Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003eItalian Dandelion Catalogna chicory seeds grow the tangy, dandelion-like green that Italian cooks call catalogna. Despite the name, this is a true chicory (\u003cem\u003eCichorium intybus\u003c\/em\u003e), not a dandelion, forming an upright clump of long, jagged, deeply toothed leaves on crisp pale stems. These chicory seeds give a pleasantly bitter green that sweetens with cooking and adds bold flavor and texture to the garden and the kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho it's for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for adventurous cooks and gardeners who love bitter Mediterranean greens for sautés and salads, and who want a vigorous, cut-and-come-again crop that keeps producing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow \u0026amp; when to plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost for a spring crop, or in mid to late summer for a fall harvest that turns sweeter after cool nights. Sow seeds 1\/4 inch deep, thin to 8 to 10 inches apart, and give full sun to part shade. It germinates in soil around 60 to 70°F and grows well in USDA zones 4 through 9.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHarvest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung leaves are ready in about 40 days and full clumps in 55 to 65 days. Cut outer leaves as needed or harvest the whole rosette a couple of inches above the crown, and it will often regrow for a second cutting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBenefits \u0026amp; uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe assertive, slightly bitter leaves are classic sautéed with garlic and olive oil, wilted into pasta, or used raw in small amounts in mixed salads. Cooking mellows the bitterness, making it a versatile green for hearty Italian dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Italian dandelion actually a dandelion?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It is a leaf chicory that resembles dandelion greens in shape and flavor, which is where the common name comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many chicory seeds are in a packet?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach packet contains about 225 seeds, plenty for a row or several successive sowings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reduce the bitterness?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHarvest younger leaves, grow it into cooler weather, and cook it with garlic and oil; blanching or sautéing tames the bitter edge.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Organo Republic","offers":[{"title":"0.25G","offer_id":45318765510863,"sku":"ORIHID_05_27","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"15G","offer_id":45318765543631,"sku":"ORIHID_05_28","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/6437\/1919\/files\/1KLOsqEmdhoALgQIivZFJ_5kOIo9qcb_B_s0.png?v=1782907344","url":"https:\/\/organorepublic.com\/products\/italian-dandelion-catalogna-chicory-seeds","provider":"Organo Republic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}