The Leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum
(L.) J. Gay) is a vegetable belonging, with onion and garlic, to
the Alliaceae, the onion family. Also in this species are two
very different vegetables: The elephant garlic (Allium
ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum) grown for its bulbs, and kurrat
which is grown for its leaves in Egypt and elsewhere in the
Middle East.
Rather than forming a tight bulb such as the onion, the leek
produces a long cylinder of bundled leaf sheaths which are
generally blanched by pushing soil around them (trenching). They
are generally considered to have a finer flavor than the common
onion. They are often sold as small seedlings in flats which are
started early in greenhouses, to be set out as weather permits.
Once established in the garden, leeks are hardy and can be left
in the ground during the winter to be harvested as needed.
Leeks are an essential ingredient of cock-a-leekie soup.
Leeks were prized by the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans
who distributed it all over Europe. It is a national emblem of
Wales.
