Leeks: Misunderstood But Delicious

Leeks: Misunderstood But Delicious

Leeks are a great crop for a bucket garden. Leeks are easy to grow, tasty and pretty. Try them out and you will keep on planting them for years to come.

Leeks are a root vegetable that looks a lot like an onion which is reasonable as they are related. Leeks flavor is much milder however than an onion. You do not need to avoid leeks because you do not like onions. Their flavor is mellow and not at all  overpowering. the fact is that many onion-haters love leeks.

Leeks do not form much of a bulb on the end of the root as their cousins the onions do. Leeks remain in a cylindrical shped form much like a gladiola, yet another cousin. Leeks have a slight bulge at the end rtaher than afully formed bulb. What remains under ground remains tender and white on the stem of the leek. The portion of the stem that is exposed to the sunlight is what becomes tough, fibrous and not very good eating. Farmers mound dirt up around the stem of the sprouting plant thus keeping more of it underground and white. What this means is that dirt c an and usually does get between the stem layers. For this reason leeks need to carefully washed and cleaned prior to cooking.Leeks are usually used in soups, most notably in vichyssoise, a tasty soup composed of potatoes and leeks that is traditionally served cold. You may want to try adding some sliced leeks to your favorite soup the next time you prepare it. Leeks are edible raw and  impart a great crunchy and flavorful additon to salads or when eaten with a dip. Cut leeks in 1/2 lengthwise then rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove dirt & grit. Add to a platter of crudites.

Leeks are a wonderful source of fiber for your diet and they actually help lower cholesterol levels as do any member fo the onion family. Leeks are loaded with important as well as necessary minerals and vitamins. This includes potassium which is so necwessasy for good cardio-vascular health.

Welsh tradition has it that back in the days before military uniforms, Welsh warriors wore a leek on their helmet to distinguish themselves from the enemy. Because of this legend the leek is one of Wales' national symbols and is worn on the lapel of a man's in honor of St. David, Patron Saint of Wales, on his Day.

Leeks are a pefect bucket garden crop. Place a 1 " layer of small garvel into the bottom of your bucket. Add 6" of your soil mixture then tamp it down to compact the dirt. place about 10 leek seeds in any pattern you wish onto of this layer of dirt being sure to keep several inches of distance between seeds. Place a 1/2" deep layer of your soil mixture over this then lifghtly tamp it down. Water well and wait for the leeks to sprout. Once your leeks ahve sprouted let them f=gro to a height of 3-4" the add another 1 "layer of your soil mixture to your bucket. Do this every few days until you ahve at least 6' of the leek stem coverd with soil. This will produce the flavorful white stems that you want to use in cooking leeks.

Water leeks as needed. Be sure that they get enough sun and if you plant several buckets about 2 weeks apart you can have leeks all season long.

Copyright © 2009 Donald R Houston, PhD. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the author's consent.