It's in full bloom all around us here. I tried to get to the root of one a few years ago, but the roots must go all the way to China. I don't know how they get to them to make coffee down in New Orleans!

I don't know either, KY, but as long as they make it I don't have to worry about going all the way to China to dig those roots.

I transplanted some a couple of years ago for a friend who lives in Frankfort or nearby. We found it growing on the side of a little used road and I hopped out and dug it up. Ha. We planted it in her yard and last year it was growing. Haven't asked her about it this year though.

We bought a chicory this past Spring and added it to Trish's herb spiral. Hopefully it'll do well for us!

I hope so. I had it for two years and thought it was going to clump and take off. That was two years ago and I haven't seen it since. It grows better to the east of me than it does here. I can't even find it growing in the wild in this area.

Young leaves have just enough of a bitter flavor to add bite to a salad, too. Great with those tomatoes you grow.

Great article and appreciated the info on gout as it is an ailment I was diagnosed with at the tender age of 11. Haven't had it since but....

I understand it's painful; fats?? fatty foods? I can't remember what causes it. I remember teaching with a young man who had it frequently, so that means it comes and goes, right? I don't know much about gout, that's plain to see. Glad you 'outgrew' it, Vic!

We have it in our family, too. My mother was just diagnosed yesterday! Sharon, do you have a recipe/instructions for using it for that?

I only know how to use it as a tonic. It's how Aunt Bett used it; more as a preventative than anything else. When I have it fresh, I just blend it well with tomatoes, sometimes other veggies if they are available, to drink as a juice. As a fresh veggie drink, it sure can't hurt a thing. Plus it's good. Maybe that would be helpful to her.

I'll look through this little well worn notebook and see if I can find anything where she mentions using it any other way. If I find a recipe, I'll let you know.

Can't wait for the whole series of articles, Sharon!

I love chicory in salads.

I have a relative with gout, Renee, and chicory root tea is what he uses. Also cherries are supposed to be really good for gout.

Roasted chicory root is what's used as coffee, just as it is or added to real coffee. I suspect that chicory used in any way would be good for gout. As I said Aunt Bett used it all the time, so I always thought it was more a preventative than anything. But then I have never had gout. Maybe all that chicory I grew up on is why.

Still trying to find her notebook. Ugh. I have too many papers around here.

Thanks Polly! I'm writing as fast as I can.
Dave too, I think.

Yes, cherries

Sharon, I've not had an episode of it since age 11 and I'll be 62 sooner than later That -bout of gout- actually led to a whole 'nother set of medical issues to find out I only had 1 kidney - born that way. I told Hank when we got married - I was built cheap!

My grandfather had it so yes, I'm thinking hereditary.

Cheap. Ha! Vic.

Yesterday I told somebody I was going to be 70 in November and she said: "Seventy, you should be crying!"

And I told her I was so excited to be 70. Not many people made it out of that holler alive, you know, so yeah, I'm really happy to reach 70. I figure I can get by with lots of things when I reach 70. I can be grouchy and wear pajamas all day and never fix my hair eat tomato sammiches with pickles and bananas at midnight and people will just say 'Look at her, whattya expect, she's 70!'

You got a long way to go, Vic, before you can get by with all those things.

I can't find specifics about chicory/gout in my Aunt Bett papers, but look at this:

http://www.5min.com/Video/Gout...

Here in Italy we boil chickory and serve it with olive oil and lemon dressing. Yummy! Some people toss it in a pan with oil and garlic, but I'm allergic to garlic.

Hey Sharon, I'll be 70 in December, you're right, lots of people don't even get that far. It IS a good excuse to do odd things - she's a funny old girl, they'll say!

Hey Sue!!! 1942 was a great year, right??

I love the sound of both your recipes, thank you so much, I'm going to have to try them.

"Funny old girl" I love it!
Yep! That's us.

And now it's nearly 2 a.m. This old girl is saying good night.

I'm pretty sure 70 is the new 50, maybe even 40

Off to check out your link Sharon - thank you!

I'm pretty sure of that too, Vic!
Thanks for reminding me.

Another chicory fan here! It's in bloom now. I haven't tried digging up the roots yet. It may be awhile, since they go all the way to China!! lol But in the meantime, we like adding the leaves to salads. The chickens like to browse it some but prefer if I chop it into small pieces for them...

Picky chickens!!
Good to know you have it there, Christine!

Blue flowers have been my favorite from the time I started really getting into gardening. When I saw chicory growing along the roadside, I considered it just one of those weeds that happened to look pretty. My Mom was able to tell me what it was by my description to her. It's the only plant that I considered a weed that I wanted to have in my garden. But transplanting it just didn't work. It really likes to hug the edges of the country roadsides around here though, so I just admire it from afar.

And I hope 70 is the new 50, because I will be 60 in a few years. Sharon, you look wonderful for 70 and can be as eccentric as you like!