– shared from Veraveg.org
If you find yourself always relying on spinach and Romaine for your green smoothie fix, then maybe it’s time you bring home something a little more exciting the next time you visit your produce aisle.
Maybe you’ve seen this “green” before, but didn’t know what to do with it? Find out how endive came to be and discover what it can do for you and your next green smoothie!
The endive was accidentally discovered by a Belgian farmer around 1830. At the time, chicory roots were used as a coffee substitute. The farmer stored them in a cellar, forgot about them and, when he came back to pick up the roots, discovered that they had sprouted white leaves. Curious, he ate some and found them to be tender, moist, crunchy and slightly bitter.
However, it is to the Belgian botanist Brézier that we owe endive as it is eaten today, who developed it from the original coffee chicory. The market stalls of the capital began to display this new vegetable in 1846, and it quickly became known as Brussels Endive however it was not until after the First World War that it started to be widely used.
Endive cultivation takes place in four stages:
In May, the chicory is sown and then in October the roots are pulled up, the leaves are cut down to 2 cm above the crown and the rootlets removed.
The roots are then forced, either in a cellar or in earth covered with straw, for 21 days to produce a very white, compact endive.
Finally the endive is broken off from the root and the outer leaves removed to produce a tight, firm head.
It is said that an infusion of Endive helps to maintain the digestive system’s metabolic balance, detoxify the body, promote intestinal regularity, and strengthen the immune system.
It is also said to be a good diuretic, laxative and will even dissolve kidney stones!
Endive into Green Goodness
Ingredients:
- 1 mango, peeled and stone removed
- 1 peach, peeled and stone removed
- 1/4 lemon, juice of
- 1 – 2 heads (or to taste) of endive
- 1 handful spinach (or other mild green)
- 1 cup water or coconut water (as needed for blending)
Directions:
Blend water and fruit until smooth. Add greens a handful at a time until smooth. Endive is more of a bitter green, so you may find the taste a little surprising, BUT… it’s the bitter taste that stimulates your digestive system in a good way, so if you can appreciate the taste, you’ll reap more benefits!
Many thanks to the Vectis Road Allotments Association, affectionately known as VERA to its members, for sharing their cultivated history of veggies! We look forward to sharing more education with you from them about the leaves we love!
Situated in the heart of historic East Cowes, the VERA allotments offer fun, friendship, peace, tranquility and, if you’re prepared to make the effort, the opportunity to grow and eat your own, fantastic veg.