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.
| 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
