🌱 Everything you need to know about leeks

It is humble, discreet, sometimes mocked... and yet, the leek deserves all our attention.

It's one of the mainstays of the vegetable garden, a hardy root vegetable that endures through the seasons and warms our plates. Whether cooked in fondue, quiche, pot-au-feu, or simply pan-fried, leeks are much more than a side dish: they're a piece of culinary heritage in their own right.

🍴 How to consume and store it?

Leeks can easily be stored for up to a week in the refrigerator, in the vegetable drawer. To extend their shelf life, remove any damaged leaves and keep them whole until ready to cook. They can also be pre-cut and frozen raw or blanched.

Before cooking, it must be cleaned thoroughly: open it slightly lengthwise and rinse it under water to remove any dirt. Then, anything is possible! Fondant with cream, crispy in a tart, blended in soup, stuffed with meat or simply steamed with a mustard vinaigrette... The leek is a chameleon-like and ultra-healthy vegetable.

📅 What is its season?

🧬 Features

The leek is a vegetable plant in the allium family, like garlic and onion. It is recognized by its long stem, white at the base and dark green at the tip.

Its texture is fibrous when raw, but becomes tender when cooked. Its taste is slightly sweet, with a hint of mild garlic aroma. Rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin B9, it is also low in calories. It is even said to be a "diuretic," making it an ally in detox soups.

💡 Did you know?

Leeks were already cultivated in ancient Egypt and were part of the rations distributed to workers on the pyramids.

It's also the national symbol of Wales, where it's proudly worn on military uniforms and during traditional festivals. Why? Legend has it that Welsh soldiers tied leeks to their helmets to identify each other during battle... handy, right? 🏹

💚 Why we love it at Neary

At Neary, leeks are a winter classic that we love to rediscover every year. Our growers cultivate them in open fields, using hardy and flavorful varieties.

It goes wonderfully with family dishes, and we love adding it to our homemade soups or making creamy fondues for our customer recipe cards.

🛒 Where to find it?

👉 Order it in our seasonal baskets , delivered directly to your workplace or home. Leeks are common sense in bunches 🧅💚