Chicory is a member of the endive family and is sometimes called curly endive. This loose-leafed variety has a hearty, bitter flavor and prickly texture. Normally you would chop it up with stems included (remove base of each cluster first) and parboil, saute or braise. If you strip the leaves off their white spine you could add this crunchy, vibrant chicory, (just hours out of the ground) raw to salads.