Golden Helmet Organic Endive - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds - Cichorium endivia

Cichorium endivia 'Golden Helmet' is a rare French variety. This fine-tasting Batavian endive produces large, generous rosettes of curled, crisp leaves that are naturally self-blanching. The leaves are delicious eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. Sow the seeds from May to August for a fabulous harvest 3 months later.

It is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It bears the Latin name Cichorium endivia var. latifolium and is also known as broad-leaved endive, Batavian endive, or chicory. Along with curly endive, it is a “true” endive as opposed to the a closely related species, Cichorium endivia (examples of which include radicchio, witloof, and sugarloaf).

It produces rosettes of large, green wavy leaves surrounding a pale yellow to white heart. Whilst some varieties are naturally self-blanching, others need to be deprived of light or “blanched” to subdue some of their bitterness. Blanching also results in a more tender leaf texture. It is not as cold hardy as wild chicory. In colder regions, provide winter crop covers such as fleece or polythene sheeting. It prefers moderately rich, moist, well-drained soil.

It brings a lovely, bitter edge to mixed salads. It is delicious sautéed, braised, or cooked in bechamel sauce. It boasts numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system, easing digestion, and reducing inflammation.

Harvesting: pick the leaves as and when required.

Storage: the greens will keep for a few days in the refrigerator.

Good to know: hoeing and weeding around your plants regularly will help keep the weeds in check. Mulching is a great way to keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells.

NB. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that are not treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent body.