The tray of leek seedlings that I purchased from the pet/backyard store in Diss early this yr have been actually good they’ll quickly be coming to an finish, a pair have already run to seed though I have been consuming them as a lot as attainable – particularly in a Leek and Bacon Pilaff.
Leeks are so helpful and sometimes a foolish worth to purchase. There are 4 recipes on my recipe web page in addition to the pilaff and naturally they are often added to any casserole sort meals.
I’ve nonetheless acquired my e book – ‘The Potted Historical past of Greens’ by Lorraine Harrison’ so had a glance to see what it stated.
| Color lithograph by Elisa Champin from Album Vilmorin circa 1850-1895 |
Stays of early leek sort vegetation have been present in Egyptian tombs they usually had been positively eaten by the Greeks and Romans. Early varieties had a extra pronounced bulb. Leeks have not at all times had white shafts topped with inexperienced leaves as within the C19 some had yellow stems and the foliage of some varieties flip violet. The e book says there was additionally a kind of untamed leek that also grows in components of France and in Canada and a few American states referred to as Ramp (however an image appears extra just like the plant we all know as Ramsons or Wild Garlic)
Leeks are well-known for being the Nationwide image of Wales and legend says that because the Welsh went into battle in opposition to the Saxons in 640, St David informed them to put on a leek of their hats to differentiate between good friend and foe. And as they had been victorious, the leeks turned an emblem of fine luck. ( That is the story within the e book – somebody will right me if it is incorrect I am positive!)
The leeks we eat now usually originate from a spread bred in Scotland by a Mr Hardcastle from Musselburgh in 1834.
Sadly the leek seedlings that I grew myself should not a hit story. I ended up with nearly no house for them so needed to squeeze the seedlings in beside the courgettes and purple sprouting broccoli and each tons acquired overwhelmed, so I am going to both must go with out all winter or see how a lot they’re and purchase, ………………annoying and solely myself accountable.
Sue
