Radicchio

Radicchio (pronounced rad-EE-key-o) is the Italian name for a good-sized group of red chicories. These are not lettuce or cabbage, neither of which can replace radicchio's fleshy, slightly bitter chewiness.
While crisp, fiercely bitter radicchio is most often a salad ingredient, it mellows considerably when roasted, grilled or sautéed in olive oil and tossed with pasta.
 
Scientific Name: Cichorium intybus var. foliosum
Seeds per Packet: Approximately 30
Growing Conditions: Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular watering
Germination Rate: 80-85%
Days to Maturity: 80-90 days
Spacing: 30 cm between plants, 45-60 cm between rows
Best Time to Sow: February to April for autumn harvest, July to September for spring harvest in New Zealand.