Radicchio di Verona IGP

The Radicchio of Verona is characterized by its unique look and taste – the dark and intense red colour of the leaves gives it a bitter taste, in contrast to the bright white veins which give it a hint of sweetness.

Presentation

Radicchio is known to have many health benefits; it’s high water content is great for digestion, it’s rich in antioxidants, it contains anthocyanins which are useful in preventing cardiovascular problems and it helps to speed up metabolism. Radicchio is most commonly used in salads or risotto dishes and is also eaten roasted.

The area where the Radicchio of Verona is born is surprisingly rich. The landscape is characterized by large rivers and banks, cultivated fields and briefly interrupted by majestic villas and courtyards.

The first real cultivations of the Radicchio of Verona destined for the market began in the early twentieth century (previously cultivations were mostly for family use), in particular in the areas of Avesa, Quinzano and Valpolicella. The sowing took place along the rows of vines or fruit trees or followed the wheat; the product was called “red chicory”. The radicchi were placed in bunches in holes dug directly in the dungholes, the cleaning was done in the warm interior of the stables and the product, cleaned from the external leaves, was offered to the market with the name of “zermoii” (sprouts: a sprout that it blossomed on the Veronese table during the winter).

true italian taste

When was the last time you had dinner in an Italian restaurant in Canada and you thought you were dining in Italy? That’s exactly how “Ospitalità Italiana Certified”restaurants want you to feel when you visit their fine dining establishments.

Ospitalità Italiana is an official certification from Unioncamere, Italy’s federation of local Chambers of Commerce and Industry, that tells you that the food you are enjoying is unquestionably Italian: products are authentic, ingredients genuine and recipes true to the thousand year history of Italian cuisine.

Canada is home to some leading Italian Chefs. Passionate and innovative, many have refined their skills and advanced their knowledge directly in Italy. In addition, Montréal boasts a fabulous cooking school ITHQ where young aspiring chefs learn Italian technic and Italian traditional recipes from the masters.

So the next time you make reservations for an Italian dinner in a Montreal restaurant, ask if they’ve received the Ospitalità Italiana seal of approval. You will enjoy the true Italian taste.