The tray of leek seedlings that I bought from the pet/garden shop in Diss early this year have been really good they will soon be coming to an end, a couple have already run to seed even though I've been eating them as much as possible - especially in a Leek and Bacon Pilaff.
Leeks are so useful and often a silly price to buy. There are 4 recipes on my recipe page as well as the pilaff and of course they can be added to any casserole type meals.
I've still got my book - 'The Potted History of Vegetables' by Lorraine Harrison' so had a look to see what it said.
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| Colour lithograph by Elisa Champin from Album Vilmorin circa 1850-1895 |
Remains of early leek type plants have been found in Egyptian tombs and they were definitely eaten by the Greeks and Romans. Early varieties had a more pronounced bulb. Leeks haven't always had white shafts topped with green leaves as in the C19 some had yellow stems and the foliage of some varieties turn violet. The book says there was also a type of wild leek that still grows in parts of France and in Canada and some American states known as Ramp (but a picture looks more like the plant we know as Ramsons or Wild Garlic)
Leeks are well known for being the National symbol of Wales and legend says that as the Welsh went into battle against the Saxons in 640, St David told them to wear a leek in their hats to distinguish between friend and foe. And as they were victorious, the leeks became a symbol of good luck. ( This is the story in the book - someone will correct me if it's wrong I'm sure!)
The leeks we eat now often originate from a variety bred in Scotland by a Mr Hardcastle from Musselburgh in 1834.
Unfortunately the leek seedlings that I grew myself are not a success story. I ended up with almost no space for them so had to squeeze the seedlings in beside the courgettes and purple sprouting broccoli and both lots got overwhelmed, so I'll either have to go without all winter or see how much they are and buy, ..................annoying and only myself to blame.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I have grown mine from seed but they are still tiny. I think I shall have to harvest them soon. Leek and bacon pilaff sounds good. Next year I shall look out for a tray of seedlings
ReplyDeleteI remember my brother going to school on St David's Day with a leek pinned to his blazer. The girls wore daffodils. This would have been in the early 60s.
ReplyDeleteWhile I remember wearing the occasional daffodil it, was preferable to wear a leek as our tradition in school was to eat what we had worn at lunch time. Leeks are definitely preferable to daffodils on the menu.
DeleteYou put me to shame Sue the way you cultivate your garden and grow your veg and then instead of just steaming a few leeks and having them with white sauce you make a Pilaff. Now that I am 'past it' as far as gardeing is concerned I can't help looking back and wishing I had done more in the veggie field.
ReplyDeleteThey can easily be heeled into a trench or even frozen.
ReplyDeleteLeeks are a winter veg for me so I sow mine in wide pots in June for transplanting in September when I have space in the veg garden. Leeks only grow according to the space you give them so as I want slender tasty leeks from December until March I dib mine in about eight inches deep and eight inches apart each way. I dibbed out 44 leeks a few weeks ago but at the allotment I used to grow around four times as much - such is the versatility of leeks. When they are small I like grilling them and serving over mashed cauliflower, a spoonful of Puy lentils and a dollop of hazelnut gremolata - sounds tricky but it is simply toasted hazelnuts crunched down in a pestle and mortar with olive oil and fresh leafy herbs. If I were you I would sow some leek seeds now and transplant them as soon as they are big enough to handle. The weather is so peculiar now that I think the old rules about when to sow and plant veg have gone out of the window. Have a go! I noticed apple blossom on one of my trees yesterday - what is that all about!? Sarah in Sussex
ReplyDeleteHome grown leeks are the best compared to the large overgrown ones from the supermarket. I used to grow a blueish one, think it was French which was delicious.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have never heard the story of St David and leeks. If memory serves, which it often doesn't these days, it was more likely under Owain Glyndŵr in the Middle Ages that it became one of two symbols of Wales. I have looked up the David reference and while it is cited in many places online are that he ordered his soldiers to wear leaks to identify them from their enemies, this cannot be true because David was a peace loving monk of religious faith and did not have armies of soldiers, and he definitely did not go into battle. Of course when you have situations such as BBC reporters informing us reliably that Robin Hood visited the Sycamore tree on Hadrian's wall who are you supposed to believe. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhenever, it doesn't detract from leeks being delicious!
I like leeks but my husband doesn't, so unless I request leeks he never thinks to buy them, the same with courgettes. Are you sure you're not still ordering for the small holding?
ReplyDeleteThey freeze well so are a real bonus, even if they appear to be heading towards seeding...just chop, rinse, drain, and bung in the cold! x
ReplyDeleteGod bless Mr Hardcastle from Musselburgh!
ReplyDeleteLeek and bacon sounds like a nice combination.
ReplyDeleteYour leek and bacon pilaf sounds delicious. Leeks are a lovely mild onion. I use them in my French onion soup. On a cool day, a bowl of soup with a large square of toast and melted cheese floating on top is tasty. I suspect, next year your leeks will be great.
ReplyDeleteI love leeks, they go so well in so many dishes. I really love leek and potato soup. xx
ReplyDeleteI remember in Jack De Manio's autobiography, he told of one drunken radio presenter who said that, before a particular ceremony, the king had had his usual leek, and there followed a long pause in which the astonished nation wondered whether they had really just heard that correctly, before the commentator went on ... attached to his hat as a symbol of good luck.
ReplyDeleteI didn't grow leeks this year and regretting that decision already. Interesting facts about leeks in your post.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Leek soup is one of my favorite things! Mine is very simple and tastes so good. It is here, if you are interested: https://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2008/04/vegetables.html
ReplyDeleteAnd another leek recipe that I love: https://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2015/08/turkish-leek-patties.html
Here are a few key points about leeks based on the passage:
ReplyDelete- Leeks have been cultivated for thousands of years, with remains found in Egyptian tombs and eaten by Greeks and Romans. Early varieties had a more pronounced bulb.
- Leeks are symbolically important in Welsh culture and legend, said to have been worn by Welsh soldiers in battle against Saxons in 640 CE, attributing their victory to the leeks.
- The leeks commonly eaten today often derive from a variety bred in Scotland in 1834 by Mr. Hardcastle of Musselburgh.
- The author grew their own leek seedlings this year but they did not succeed due to lack of space and getting overwhelmed by courgettes and broccoli planted beside them.
- Leeks are versatile in cooking and the author provides recipes on their recipe page and notes they can be added to casseroles.
So in summary, leeks have a long history of cultivation but modern varieties trace back to Victorian Scotland, and they remain an important symbol in Welsh culture and cuisine according to the passage. The author had mixed success growing their own this year due to space constraints.