Leeks

Leeks on display from Eloisa Organic Farm.

Latin name: Allium porrum

Spanish: Puerros

Leeks are known for their long white stalk that has a buttery onion flavor without the sharpness or acidity like most other onions have. Their greens are also flat rather than hollow, and a deep blue green in color. Leeks can be used both raw and cooked in almost any dish that you’d use onions, and also offer a unique buttery flavor perfect for potato leek soup and other creamy dishes.

What does blanching mean?

In the kitchen, blanching something means to boil it lightly to soften it. In farming, to blanch a crop means to deprive it of sunlight so that it grows tall with a soft, sweet, white stalk.

To grow a nice long leek, they must be planted extra deep in the soil or into a furrow. Throughout the season they need to be hilled up to properly blanch the stalks.

The word “blanch” comes from a Latin root which means to soften, like the Spanish word blando or blandito.

Are leek scapes edible?

Yes! Both leek scapes and blossoms are edible and delicious. Click to learn more about cooking with Leek Scapes.

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