There have been endless debates on what does a Leek taste like? I, too, wanted to participate in it and give my insights into this green leafy vegetable delight. Before I did my research, I was skeptical about Leeks and always thought of them as Spring Onions.
I personally think that it’s high time that everyone knew the difference between a Leek and spring onion. Leeks have their own identity, and it’s not fair that we don’t know the poor vegetable.
What are Leeks?
Leeks belong to the family of Onions. Rather than developing a bulb apart from the long green leaves, Leeks grow just as stalks in layers that wrap each other from top to bottom.
If you still don’t understand what Leeks looks like, you can start by imagining Celery stalked together. However, leeks have wide and flattened stalks. This makes the bunch of Leeks look dense as compared to celery or spring onions.
What Does A Leek Taste Like?
Now that we know what a Leek is let’s talk about the taste. Leeks are very much like spring onions in taste; however, Leeks are sweeter. The taste of raw Leeks is much different from cooked Leaks. The taste of cooked Leeks primarily depends upon the other ingredients you are using alongside, or the recipe you are making. It has the ability to tenderly adjust its taste in line with the recipe you are making.
Raw Leeks
Raw leeks have a grassy, almost herbal quality, which is not surprising considering their close relationship to green onions. They can be eaten raw safely, but this isn’t the most common way to eat them. Many people like consuming Leeks raw. With finely slicing them, you can add them to the below delicacies;
- Salads
- Burgers
- Coleslaw
- Wraps
- Sandwiches
Cooked Leeks
Cooked Leeks are even more delicious. Once cooked, they give out a very buttery and creamy texture and a mild taste of onion. They add their mouth-watering aroma to every dish. Leeks are mainly used in Asian foods. However, they’re a staple ingredient of Chinese cuisine aswell.
They are crunchy and add a delicious taste to Noodles especially. You may also cook these Leeks by roasting them before adding in any dish to add a crisp texture that melts in your mouth.
Why Eat Leeks?
Like every other vegetable, Leeks also have numerous health benefits. Leeks are known to be full of essential vitamins, minerals, and many antioxidants. The best part is these are low in calories, so you don’t have to worry about eating or using more Leeks in your dish.
Leeks are considered to be the most healthy green veggies in the vegetable world.
Following are some of the benefits that Leeks provide to the human body:
- Help to improve digestion
- Help to balance your hormones and keep a good check on them
- Help with the proper functioning of your metabolic processes
- These also help to protect and prevent any heart-related problems
Nutritional Facts
Following are the nutritional facts of this ah-mazing vegetable:
- Calories 54
- Carbohydrates 12 grams
- Fiber 1.6 grams
- Sugar 3.5 grams
- Fat 0.3 grams
- Protein 1.3 grams
- Vitamin A 30 percent
- Vitamin C 18 percent
- Vitamin K 52 percent
How To Cut Leeks?
There are two ways to cut Leeks:
- Sliced round Leeks
- Half-moon sliced Leeks
Sliced Round Leeks
If you need sliced round Leaks, first, you need to chop off the bottom of the Leaks from where the roots grow. Now continue chopping into small round slices until it’s all cut up.
Half-Moon Sliced Leeks
If you require half-moon sliced Leeks, cut the roots again and cut the Leeks vertically till they’re fully cut up. Once cut, transfer them to a bowl of icy cold water, rinse them and separate them from each other. Now you can use them however you want.
Must-Try Recipes
- Some vegan recipes for all the vegan lovers: Panera Lentil Quinoa Bowl, Brasilla Spinach Lasagna Recipe, Whole foods garlicky kale recipe
- More fun recipes: Instant pot Mongolian beef, Almond Butter Chicken, Chicken Spinach Pizza, Instant Pot Barbecue Wings
- Mouth-watering finger-licking desserts: Almond Shortbread cookies, Almond crusted French Toast.
I hope you try out these recipes. Also, do let me know in the comments below what you knew about Leeks and add more to my knowledge.
I am a yogi with a smoldering passion for nutrition and healthy living. I have been a Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach for over 11 years and now I want to help you. My mission is to inspire as many people as I can to expand their awareness and broaden their horizons by giving a voice to the choices that create abundant, radiant health. Here I share deliciously simple plant-based recipes, nutrition resources, detox tips, and a glimpse into my whole lifestyle.
