Escarole – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is escarole?

Escarole is a leafy green vegetable that’s part of the chicory family. That means it’s related to the endive, frisee, and Belgian endive. It’s a popular vegetable in Italian cuisine, and it’s often served either cooked or raw in dishes like fruit salad. It can also be paired with cheese like goat cheese and blue cheese.

Many use it in soups (like Italian wedding soup) because it’s tender enough to cook quickly, but it also keeps some of its flavor—flavor that doesn’t overpower the rest of the ingredients. Some people eat it with sausage and beans in pasta or sauté it with olive oil.

The outer leaves are darker and wider, and they’re usually a little bit chewy and bitter. The interior leaves are usually pale-yellow and somewhat more tender.

Where did escarole originate from?

Escarole originated in the East Indies and was introduced into Egypt and Greece pretty early on. It was widely cultivated in England from at least the 1500s, and it’s popular in Sicilian cuisine.

The escarole was eventually brought to America by colonists, where we happily enjoy it as part of our fresh produce offerings today.

What is the nutritional value of escarole?

Escarole is delicious and nutritious. It’s got tons of nutrients and only 15 calories per 85g when eaten raw. Not to mention, it provides 1g of protein, 3g of fiber, and 4% of the daily value of iron. You’ll also get vitamins A, K, C, folate, zinc, and copper. Oh, and antioxidants. Can’t forget the antioxidants.

So what does all of this amount to? A wholesome, healthier you, that’s what. Let us count the ways:

• Helps improve heart health
• Promotes a healthy gut
• Reduces chronic inflammation
• Supports optimal eye health
• Promotes bone health

Want to grab some for yourself to reap these amazing benefits? Skip the search for “escarole near me” or “produce near me.” Get your fresh produce delivery with Instacart and choose same-day delivery.

How is escarole grown?

Escarole is grown with full sunlight in well-draining soil. It can be amended with compost to help with water retention. Ideally, the soil should have a pH of 5.0 to 6.8 for optimal growing conditions.

Propagate the seed about 4 to 6 weeks before the last average frost date for where you live. You can also start the seeds indoors and transplant them about 8 to 10 weeks before the last average frost date. Aim to have them harvestable before the temperatures get into the 80s.

It’ll take about 85 to 100 days before it’s time to harvest your escarole. To plant the seeds, sow them 1/4in deep and 1 to 2in apart. Then, thin the seedlings to 6 to 12in apart. The plants should be spaced 18 to 24 in apart.

When is escarole in season? 

Escarole’s peak seasons are in the spring and summer months, but it’s available all year long. 

What should I look for when buying escarole?

When buying fresh escarole, for escarole with a fresh green color and curly lettuce. They can be as small as a softball or as large as a soccer ball. Make sure to choose escarole with firmly packed heads and leaves with no blemishes.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for escarole via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop escarole.

How to store escarole

If you want to keep your escarole as fresh as possible, make sure to store it properly. Leave it unwashed after bringing it home from the store, as unsanitary as it might sound. But trust us, this is the way to go if you want to preserve the shelf life.

Escarole also needs a cool environment to stay fresh, so don’t store it in the pantry. Instead, pop it in the fridge. It can be kept in there for at least 5 days.

Keep it in the crisper drawer if you have one because the crisper can help optimize your produce’s freshness. But before you put it in there, drop it into a plastic bag and keep it damp. Try using a damp paper towel. Storing it this way will keep it fresh for a week. Changing the paper towels after a few days can keep them even fresher.

You also have the option of freezing the escarole if you want it to last for longer. But freezing escarole isn’t recommended because it won’t be of the same quality when you unfreeze it.

But if you really must, blanch it beforehand. Remove the big leaves on the plant and then blanch them and drop them in a freezer bag. Freezing escarole will keep it preserved for 6 months.

How to tell if escarole is bad 

Unsure whether your escarole is bad? Look for mushiness or sliminess. That’s a sure sign your escarole is deteriorating before your eyes.

Another way to tell is if it has a bad smell or appearance. Take a good whiff and see if it smells a bit off. If so, chuck it.

The color is another dead giveaway. When escarole starts to go bad, the color changes. So if it doesn’t have that bright green glow you know you’ve seen before, don’t eat it. 

What can I substitute for escarole?

Fresh outta escarole? Don’t worry. It can easily be substituted for similar veggies. You can use Chinese cabbage, swiss chard, iceberg lettuce, frisee, butterhead lettuce, mustard greens, arugula, kale, rocket salad, spinach, radicchio, endive, or romaine lettuce.

Getting the freshest escarole delivered

Buying fresh escarole is essential if you want your recipe to taste like it came out of a Michelin-starred restaurant. If you can’t make it to the grocery store, you can always get fresh produce delivery with Instacart. Shop for fresh escarole now.

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