Leek Speak

Chef Kaviraj Khialani

The humble cousin of the onion, the leek is a hardy biennial vegetable and a good source of potassium, iron with small amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin C.

History Mystery

The Bible mentions the fact that cucumbers, melons and leeks grew in Egypt, where the leek was held as a sacred plant and to sew by the leek was the equivalent to swearing by one of the gods. Giant leek contests have been held in pubs and clubs throughout the north-east of England since the mid 1880's. Alongside the daffodil, the leek is one of the national symbols of Wales. Currently the European community produces over seven million tones per year with France topping the list as the chief producer.

Varieties

Varieties are divided into two main groups, long thin and short stout types. In many modern cultivars, such differences are less obvious.

King Richard is a high yielding, mild tasting, early variety with a long shank, which is ideal for growing at close spacing for mini leeks. There are also early, mid-season and late varieties.

(The author is head of department, food production, Kohinoor College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Mumbai. He can be reached by e-mail at kaviraj21@hotmail.com)