LEEK

Allium ampeloprasum var.porum

The statuesque member of the allium family, the tall white leek was first mentioned in text 4000 years ago, noted by a scribe in the Mesopotamian city of Ur. Its origins are vague, some scholars believing it may be one allium member which did spring up from the cold weather clime of the British Isles and then stumble its way to the Middle East. Others feel this notion is preposterous and peg the plant’s beginnings in Central Asia.

A favorite of both the Romans and the Greeks for sore throat, the leek became Emperor Nero’s favorite veg. The first century AD dictator felt he was a skilled orator and soothed his tones with regular rounds of leek soup. The world’s first true "leek head," Nero’s nickname was "leekeater."

Let’s clear one thing up right away—elephant garlic is, in fact, a leek. Don’t be fooled.

Leek harvest from a 14th century Italian botanical print ( Illustrated Herbal)

California leek field in bloom (1920’s photo) (HFCA)

Giant leek ( Stinky and Stringy)

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