Dec 4, 2024

UF: escarole and endive can elevate holiday feasts

As Thanksgiving approaches, ushering in the holiday season, horticulture experts at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are touting bountiful insights about two nutritious leafy vegetables set to elevate festive meals and home gardens this year: escarole and endive.

The versatile greens, highlighted in a recent Ask IFAS document, are ideal for tapas, soups, salads, appetizers, side dishes and as key flavoring and texture ingredients in main dishes.

Germán Sandoya, associate professor of horticultural sciences at UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) and co-author of “Escarole and Endive: Nutritious Leafy Vegetables with High Potential for Floridians,” emphasizes the potential of these vegetables.

“Escaroles and endives are not just delicious, but also highly nutritious, unknown by many in the United States but popular in other countries worldwide,” Sandoya said. “Both can grow well in the home garden and are pretty, like lettuce. These leafy vegetables can be cooked or consumed raw, something that many leafy vegetables do not offer. Some of the types look like lettuce and can be found in grocery stores throughout the country.”

Popular in European countries, escarole and endive have the potential to become more widely consumed in the United States, with Florida ranked as the second-largest producer of these leafy vegetables.

“In the states, both leafy vegetables are available in the wintertime, so next time you stop by the store, give them a try,” said Sandoya.

Both leafy vegetables are produced in Palm Beach County and are available starting in November through the winter and the spring. While consumers may find some escaroles and endives in the summertime, they most likely come from other parts of the country as the summers are too warm for these leafy vegetables.

Sandoya, who leads the UF/IFAS Lettuce Breeding Program offers the following additional morsels of information highlighting key points in the research.

Q: What are some common diseases and pests that affect escarole and endive, and how can they be managed?

A: As in any crop, pests and diseases may affect production. There are several pests and diseases that could affect these crops, but if they are planted along with other vegetables, chances are you will create barriers for natural enemies. Using certified seeds from a reputable source is highly recommended to avoid any enemies in your crops.

Read more about how consumers can prepare and plant leafy greens here.

— Lourdes Mederos is a writer with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences