There are two main varieties of cultivatedC. endivia chicon:
Curly endive, orfrisée (var.crispum). This type has narrow, green, curly outer leaves. It is sometimes called chicory in theUnited States and is calledchicorée frisée in French. Further confusion results from the fact that frisée also refers to greens lightly wilted with oil.
Escarole, or broad-leaved endive (var.latifolia), has broad, pale green leaves and is less bitter than the other varieties. Varieties or names include broad-leaved Batavian endive, grumolo, scarola, and scarole. It is eaten like other greens, sauteed, chopped into soups and stews, or as part of a green salad. In parts ofSouthern Italy, escarole is commonly cooked throughsmothering, and at Christmas inNaples is eaten stuffed with raisins, pine nuts, olives, capers, cheese and breadcrumbs.[6]
^DuPont, M. S., Day, A. J., Bennett, R. N., Mellon, F. A., Kroon, P. A.,Absorption of kaempferol from endive, a source of kaempferol-3-glucuronide, in humans, Eur J Clin Nutr 2004 Jun;58(6):947-54