Radicchio

“The book gets weird in the best way possible, with profiles of Italian growers and recipes including gnocchi with radicchio pesto, radicchio with prosciutto -gratin, and chocolate-radicchio cake (why not?).”–Saveur
“The definitive book on the subject…It’s about as comprehensive as any general audience book on a crop could hope to be, equal parts botanical history, gardening guide, cookbook and photo essay.” –Willamette Weekly
“Radicchio: A Celebration of the Beloved Italian Vegetable makes a persuasive case for this cultivated form of chicory, introducing us to a broad family of forms, colors, textures, and uses.”–Edible Hudson Valley
“Over the course of the book, in profiles of farmers and seed growers, in recipe headnotes, in descriptions of types, radicchio materializes as the poster child for our local food culture at its best: symbiotic rather than siloed, and shaping the tastes of the nation.”–Portland Monthly
“Radicchio is a gorgeous book of culinary and botanical history, written and photographed with an untiring passion for this captivating winter vegetable. The creative recipes are a vast celebration of palate and palette, abandoning any preconceived notions of radicchio; one is invited to worship at the altar of its many colors, textures, and forms. Inspired by radicchio’s Italian heritage, its versatility in these pages goes well beyond traditional wisdom to include imagination and heart. The cast of characters devoted to radicchio’s cultivation and degustation is lovingly documented, and after spending time with this book, you too will fall under its spell.”
–Sarah Owens, Culinary Educator and author of Sourdough
“A deep dive into radicchio like has never been done before; essential for the fans of this most delightful of Italy’s vegetables.”–Emiko Davies, author of Florentine
“An immersion in the breadth and beauty of radicchio, this book is thorough, informational and inspirational. Gorgeously shot and a delight to read, I recommend Radicchio to anyone with curiosity about one of the most delightful lesser-known vegetables.”–Dana Cowin, Founder, Progressive Hedonist and former editor of Food & Wine magazine
“Finally! Radicchio gets the respect it deserves in this beautiful and valuable book.”–Mark Bittman, author of How to Cook Everything
“I thought I was a vegetable nerd, but Lane’s work keeps blowing my mind–even after a decade of collaborating on Culinary Breeding Network events. This gorgeous book captures that same sense of discovery, revealing the delicious complexity of breeding, environment, and flavor behind a single ingredient–and its surprising versatility in the kitchen.”–Arielle Johnson, PhD, Flavor scientist and author of Flavorama
“Lane Selman has devoted her life to connecting farmers, chefs, and eaters with the vast, unruly world of radicchio. In this obsessively researched book by the subject’s most tireless advocate, radicchio anchors the narrative, but the real subject is the ecosystem around it. Farmers, cooks, and landscapes come into sharp focus in a work that is at once precise and far-reaching.”
–Katie Parla, author of Rome
“Radicchio is one of the great vegetables of the colder months–beautiful, complex, and often misunderstood. In this thoughtful book, Lane Selman and Margarett Waterbury explore the history, diversity, and culinary potential of Italy’s beloved winter chicories. Part cookbook and part guide, Radicchio helps cooks understand and truly appreciate these remarkable bitter greens.”–Joshua McFadden, chef and author of Six Seasons of Pasta
“Seeds, farmers, food, and community are the dots Lane Selman connects in this beautiful book. Rooted in her Italian heritage and her passion for this humble vegetable, Selman’s enduring, resilient work through the Culinary Breeding Network has helped radicchio find its way into the spotlight. She tells the tale of a true success story: how a vegetable can become a symbol of community and reminds us how much our everyday lives still need such small miracles.”–Abra Berens, author of Ruffage, Grist and Pulp
“This is a beautiful tribute to radicchio and the people who grow it. By connecting with farmers, cooking, and the beauty of radicchio at the table, Radicchio celebrates the importance of biodiversity and organic farming.”–Alice Waters, author of We Are What We Eat
“To love something is to know it, and Radicchio offers an impeccably researched and generously comprehensive ode to the chicory that enchants farmers, chefs, and eaters alike. Complete with history, producer stories, garden and kitchen tips, and a whole trove of chef’s kiss recipes, tuck into this ode to find out why.”–Abra Berens, author of Ruffage, Grist and Pulp
“With this book, bittersweet, ruby-leaved radicchio now has the spotlight it deserves! Radicchio is equal parts educational and inspirational–essential reading for gardeners, cooks, and everyone who loves Italian cuisine.”–Vicky Bennison, producer and author of Pasta Grannies

Lane Selman is a Professor of Practice at Oregon State University and a nationally recognized leader in the movement to connect agriculture, flavor, and community. She grew up in Florida where her childhood was shaped by working with her extensive Sicilian family on their citrus farm. Her connection to the land, her Sicilian roots, and time spent cooking each day with her nonna formed the foundation of her life’s work. In 2012, she founded the Culinary Breeding Network, a community-driven initiative that connects plant breeders, farmers, chefs, and eaters to develop and promote diverse, organic, and flavorful varieties of vegetables, grains, pulses, and fruits. By helping breeders create new varieties, promoting biodiversity and bringing people together, she has reshaped how we grow our food, and how we celebrate it. Lane’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Food & Wine, The Wall Street Journal, Civil Eats, Eating Well, and Saveur. She is a dual American and Italian citizen and continues to deepen her roots in both places. Lane lives in Portland, Oregon with her son Pasquale.

Margarett Waterbury is an award-winning writer and editor interested in how landscape, history, and culture shape what’s on our tables. She is the author of Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland’s Whiskies and the editor-in-chief of Distiller Magazine. Her work has appeared in Epicurious, Whetstone, Food & Wine, Whisky Advocate, Civil Eats, and many other publications. An enthusiastic gardener and home cook, she has a special fondness for the wild foods of the Northwest and growing really big garlic. Margarett has traveled extensively throughout Italy over the past two decades and speaks just enough Italian that people are generally willing to entertain her probing questions. She grew up in Southeast Alaska and on an island in Puget Sound, and now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, who owns a small distillery.

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