SERVES 4

California grower Lucio Gomiero loves this dish, served at Trattoria da Mario in Montegrotto Terme, near his family home in Padua. we were lucky enough to have him share this recipe with us.

6 heads treviso radicchio
1 cup white wine vinegar
5 black peppercorns
1/2 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Finely grated hard-cooked egg

1. Remove and discard any imperfect outer leaves from radicchio. Quarter heads lengthwise and set aside.

2. Combine vinegar, 3 cups water, peppercorns, salt, and bay leaf in a large pot and bring to a boil. Blanch radicchio wedges, a few at a time, for 1–2 minutes. Blot dry with a towel, squeezing gently to remove as much moisture as possible.

3. Arrange wedges in layers in a glass or ceramic dish. Cover with olive oil, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Bring radicchio to room temperature, season with salt and pepper, and slice (radicchio may also be served unsliced). Serve garnished with finely grated hard-cooked egg. This dish will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.