Meet escarole—a leafy semi-bitter green. If you’re wondering “What Is Escarole?” keep reading! We’ll cover all the basics of this nutritious vegetable in this article so you can decide if it should make an appearance in your kitchen.
Contents
What Is Escarole?
Escarole, a leafy green vegetable, is a member of the chicory family. It’s closely related to other chicory vegetables like radicchio and endive.
With broad, slightly bitter leaves, escarole is popular in Italian cuisine, often used in Salads, Soups, and Stews. Its unique flavor profile adds depth and complexity to dishes, making it a beloved ingredient in many traditional recipes.
What Does Escarole Look Like?
Escarole is a leafy vegetable that resembles a head of lettuce with its short, wide, wavy-edged green leaves.
The outer leaves of escarole are a darker green in color and have more texture compared to the inner leaves, which are lighter and more tender. Its appearance can be similar to mustard greens, but escarole leaves are broader and less curly.
Overall, escarole presents a vibrant mix of green hues, contributing to its appeal in various dishes.
What Does Escarole Taste Like?
Escarole has slightly bitter taste, a characteristic it shares with other members of the leafy greens family. However, compared to some bitter greens, escarole’s bitterness is typically milder.
The outer leaves tend to have a more pronounced bitter flavor, while the inner, tender leaves are less bitter and sometimes even have a hint of sweetness.
Its flavor is often likened to lettuce, but with a bit more complexity. This unique blend of flavors makes escarole a versatile addition to many dishes.
Types of Escarole
Escarole, a member of the Cichorium genus, comes in a variety of types that can add diverse flavors and textures to your dishes. There are several types of escarole available, each offering its unique characteristics to enhance your culinary creations.
1. Batavian Endive
Also known as escarole, the Batavian endive is characterized by its broad, curly green leaves. This variety is often used in salads and Soups due to its slightly bitter flavor.
2. Curly Endive
Curly endive, also known as frisée, is another type of escarole. It features narrow leaf types with frilly edges, adding a unique texture to dishes.
3. Bavarian Endive
Bavarian endive, sometimes referred to as broad-leaved endive, is similar to Batavian endive with its broad, curly leaves. It’s a variant that’s commonly used in European cuisines.
4.Belgian Endive
Belgian endive is a close relative of escarole and is sometimes confused with it. Unlike escarole, it has a compact shape and is known for being tenderer than other varieties.
5. Broad-Leaved Endive
Broad-leaved endive, like the Batavian and Bavarian endives, features large, curly leaves. It adds a slightly bitter taste to salads and stews.
Nutritional Content of Escarole
Escarole, a leafy green vegetable from the chicory family, is often overlooked in the produce aisle. Yet, this humble green is a Treasure Trove Of Nutrients.
- Calories: Low, around 15-20 per 100g.
- Carbs: Minimal, about 3-4g per 100g.
- Fiber: Decent, around 3g per 100g.
- Protein: Modest, about 1-2g per 100g.
- Vitamins: Rich in A, K, and C.
- Minerals: Contains folate, calcium, potassium, and iron.
- Antioxidants: Provides beneficial antioxidants.
- Hydration: High water content.
- Fat: Virtually fat-free.
How Is Escarole Eaten?
Escarole, a versatile veggie that’s part of the chicory family, offers a multitude of ways to be enjoyed in various dishes. It’s often considered a side dish, but its unique flavor and texture can also make it the star of the meal. Be sure to check out this list of Escarole Recipes from around the world!
Italian Wedding Soup
One classic way to savor escarole is in Italian wedding soup, a traditional food where it’s combined with Pasta and Meatballs. This heartwarming soup highlights the slightly bitter flavor of escarole, creating a balanced and satisfying dish.
Grilled Escarole
Grilling is another method to prepare escarole. The process imparts a smoky flavor to the leaves, making it a delightful alternative to common greens like romaine. Grilled escarole adds an intriguing twist to salads or Pasta dishes.
Sautéing
Sautéing escarole is a popular cooking method that mellows its bitterness and brings out a sweeter taste. Sautéed with garlic and olive oil, escarole becomes a simple yet delectable side dish.
Besides its culinary versatility, escarole is packed with nutrients beneficial for vision health, including vitamin A and lutein.
Overall, escarole adds a lot to any meal, whether it’s a soup, pasta dish, grilled item, or salad. Its unique characteristics make it a valuable addition to a diverse range of recipes.
Can You Eat Raw Escarole?
Yes, you can certainly eat raw escarole. When consumed raw, escarole has a slightly bitter taste that can mellow out with the right pairing. To prepare escarole for eating raw, thoroughly wash the leaves to remove any grit.
Escarole can be a great addition to salads as it provides a balance to sweet or acidic ingredients. Drizzling a bit of olive oil over raw escarole can help soften its texture and reduce its natural bitterness.
However, it’s important not to drench the escarole in dressing or it could lose its distinct flavor and crisp texture. Whether you choose to enjoy escarole raw or cooked, this versatile green is a nutritious addition to your diet.
FAQ’S
Does Escarole Go Bad?
Yes, like all fresh produce, escarole can go bad. It typically has a shelf life of three to five days when stored properly in the fridge, but this period isn’t fixed. If stored under ideal conditions, you might enjoy your escarole even after a week
Signs of spoilage include wilting, browning, or a slimy texture.
Signs of spoilage include wilting, browning, or a slimy texture.
Can You Freeze Raw or Cooked Escarole?
Yes, you can freeze both raw and cooked escarole. Raw escarole should be blanched before freezing, while cooked escarole can be frozen directly once cooled. Both are best used within 12 months.
While refrigeration can maintain escarole’s freshness for about four to five days, those who buy large quantities of escarole and don’t plan on using it immediately might consider freezing as a preservation method. This can extend the shelf life of the vegetable and prevent spoilage.
When freezing, ensure to store escarole in airtight, freezer-safe containers to maintain its quality. To use, you can either add frozen escarole directly to dishes like stews and soups, or thaw it in the refrigerator overnight if needed.
enjoy Escarole
In conclusion, escarole is a versatile and nutritious leafy green that offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. With its slightly bitter taste, escarole adds complexity to dishes while maintaining a mild sweetness in its tender leaves.
From Italian wedding soup to grilled creations and sautéed side dishes, escarole shines across various cuisines. Its nutritional value, easy preparation, and compatibility with both raw and cooked applications make it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
So, whether you’re aiming for a refreshing salad or a hearty soup, consider adding escarole to elevate your culinary experiences.
