MONTEREY, CA (December 16, 2010) Royal Rose Radicchio of Salinas, Calif. is celebrating National Spaghetti Day (held every January 4th) with pasta recipe and pairing suggestions.
Royal Rose Radicchio recommends using your noodle and trying clever pairings of radicchio with a wide variety of pasta recipes. Did you know that radicchio is a strikingly beautiful, Old World vegetable with tightly wound burgundy leaves striped with white ribs? In the United States it has long been a bit player in the green salad kingdom, most commonly seen as part of the Italian “tricolore.” Only in the last few years have more growingly sophisticated American palates discovered the versatile radicchio’s strengths — its striking color, refreshing crunch and pleasing bitterness.
In Italy, where varieties are named after towns of origin, this member of the leaf chicory family is held in higher esteem, earning protected geographic status like cheese or wine. Italians have long made radicchio a delicious and striking addition to a variety of entrees: Traditional Italian preparation of radicchio includes serving it in pizza and pasta dishes and in risotto. Tamed by cooking, radicchio does well on the grill, and pairs with salty foods such as olives, feta or Parmesan cheese, cured meats such as ham or prosciutto, or the sweet tang of balsamic vinegar.
Source: Royal Rose Radicchio