Can Babies Eat Puntarelle? Age & Safety Guide
Puntarelle (catalogna chicory) is a bitter, fibrous Roman chicory that babies can enjoy from about 9 months once it's cooked until soft and chopped fine.
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- When to introduce
- From about 9 months
- Common allergen?
- None
- Texture
- Fibrous and bitter; cook soft and chop fine
- Key nutrients
- Fiber, folate, vitamin K, potassium
Puntarelle is the crisp, pale inner shoots of a Roman variety of chicory, beloved in Lazio kitchens where it's often slivered and dressed with anchovy and garlic. It's genuinely bitter and genuinely stringy, which is part of its charm on an adult plate and exactly what you need to tame for a baby. The good news is that puntarelle behaves well once you cook it down: the bitterness softens and the tough fibers give way. If your family eats it, there's no reason a curious 9-month-old can't share a small, well-prepped portion.
Why it matters: Puntarelle is somebody's beloved Sunday side, and sharing your family's greens with your baby is one of the quiet joys of starting solids. Introduce it soft and finely chopped, and you're teaching a young palate to appreciate bitter flavors early.
Prep School: how to prepare puntarelle for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées
Is puntarelle safe? Choking & prep
Puntarelle carries no common food allergens, so the main thing to manage is texture. It's fibrous and bitter, so cook it until fully soft and chop it finely for babies rather than serving the raw, crunchy salad shoots, which are stringy and can be a choking hazard for little ones. Always supervise mealtimes, seat your baby upright, and steer clear of raw crunchy strips until your child is chewing confidently1.
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Nutrition
Like other chicories, puntarelle brings fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamin K to the table, along with the plant compounds that give it its signature bitterness. Early, gentle exposure to bitter greens can help build a broad palate, which is a nice long-game reason to share it even if your baby makes a face the first time.
Goes well with
Polenta · Ricotta · Mashed potato · Olive oil · White beans · Pasta
Storage & freezing
Wrap unwashed puntarelle in a damp cloth or loose bag and keep it in the fridge crisper for up to about 5 days. Cooked, finely chopped puntarelle keeps in a sealed container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, or freeze small portions in an ice-cube tray for quick add-ins.
More vegetables to explore
Related reading
- Best first vegetables for babies →
- How to cut food to prevent choking →
- Signs your baby is ready for solids →
- Baby-led weaning vs. purées →
Common questions
Can babies eat puntarelle?
Yes. From about 9 months, babies can eat puntarelle as long as it's cooked until soft and chopped very finely. Skip the raw, crunchy salad version until your child is chewing well.
At what age can babies have puntarelle?
Around 9 months is a sensible starting point, once your baby is handling a range of soft-cooked vegetables and mashed textures comfortably.
Is puntarelle a choking hazard for babies?
Raw puntarelle can be, because the shoots are crunchy and stringy. Cooking it until fully soft and chopping it finely lowers that risk. Always supervise and keep baby seated upright while eating.
How do I cook puntarelle for a baby?
Trim the tough ends, then braise or boil the tender inner shoots until completely soft. Chop finely and mix into a soft base like polenta or mash so it holds together on the spoon.
Does puntarelle contain any allergens?
No. Puntarelle is not one of the common food allergens. As with any new food, offer a small amount first and watch how your baby responds.
My baby spat out puntarelle. Is it too bitter?
Bitterness is normal for chicory. Cooking mellows it, and pairing it with something creamy like ricotta or a starchy base helps. Repeated, low-pressure offers often win babies over.
Can babies eat raw puntarelle salad?
Not yet. The classic raw Roman salad is crunchy and stringy, which is a choking risk for babies. Save it for older toddlers who chew confidently, and still chop it small.
Sources
Further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Starting Solid Foods
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage and Limit
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Start tracking for freeLast updated July 2026. Next review January 2027. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.
This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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