Chicory salad: step by step recipe

Puntarelle, the step by step recipe to prepare this typical dish of the Roman tradition (but without anchovies)

Le chicory I'm a prescription typical of the Roman culinary tradition; salad prepared using the tops of the asparagus chicory (catalonia chicory or chicorione) it is seasoned with a sauce based on extra virgin olive oil, garlic and anchovies. However, we offer you one vegetarian version of this tasty side dish without anchovies.

The preparation of the chicory is very meticulous, after having cut the tops of the chicory very finely, it will be necessary to soak them in cold water so that they can lose some of their typical bitter taste and can curl thus taking their unmistakable shape.

Ingredients

1 chicory asparagus plant
1 large clove of garlic
coarse salt as needed
extra virgin olive oil to taste

Preparation Time:
70 minutes
Cooking time:
-
Rest time:
-
Dose:
4 people to
difficulty:
low

How to prepare chicory: procedure

lavare chicory, remove the largest leaves, possibly leaving the more tender ones,
compromising then the base of each top, cut them into pieces about six / seven centimeters long and start cutting them along the direction of their length
obtaining so some slices of vegetable about 2 millimeters thick,

cut finely the chicorione slices always along their length and immediately put them in a bowl full of cold water and ice,
to leave chicory soaked for at least half an hour (or leaving them always to soak, they can also be placed in the refrigerator and then seasoned later)

when the chicory will be curled, you will have to prepare the dressing by forming a cream based on oil, garlic and coarse salt (traditionally you will have to use a mortar but alternatively you can use a food processor),
school then the chicory and dry them well with a clean cloth,
put them away in a bowl and season with the freshly prepared sauce,
mix and serve immediately.

One more tip:

During the preparation of the dressing it is good to add a few pieces of garlic at a time and taste the dressing as you go in order to balance the flavors according to your personal tastes.