Sources:
Enter the
Share Market®
Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Baby leeks do not form bulbs or produce cloves like their Allium cousins, rather they simply develop a sleek edible cylindric stem. Baby leeks more closely resemble Spring Onions AKA scallions, as they have yet to plumpen their stem or create thick green fanned foliage like mature leeks. Their snow white stalk with green tips are petite and slim; their youthful stage offers more advantageous culinary benefits such as tender, consistently moist flesh and milder sweeter flavor. Baby leeks are crisp when raw, developing a melting quality when cooked. Baby leeks are entirely edible, including the roots.
Seasons/Availability
Baby leeks are available year-round.
Current Facts
Baby leeks, botanical name Allium ampeloprasum, belong to the to family Amaryllidaceae along with garlic and onions. There are dozens of Leek cultivars which are categorized as either early maturing summer leeks, which are harvested the season they are planted or winter leeks which are harvested the spring following the year they were planted. Baby leeks are best suited to summer leek varieties that have not reached maturity, plucked from the soil for culinary preference or to cull the plants and make room for crop growth. Common Baby leeks cultivars include Varna, King Richard and Pancho.
Applications
Baby leeks are mild enough to eat raw, well textured enough for withstanding long cooking periods. They are perfect for classic recipes such as pot pies, leek tarts and hearty soups. Baby leeks are a great salad or pizza ingredient, can be carmelized when sautéed with olive oil or butter and added to potato dishes and pastas. Grilling leeks imparts rich smokiness. Baby leeks should be blanched prior to grilling, so they retain their coloring and don't over burn. Baby leeks pair well with cream sauces such as béchamel, cheeses, especially goat, cheddar and aged sheep's cheese, bread crumbs, poultry, grilled and smoked white fish, apples, fennel, garlic, mustard, cooked eggs, tomatoes and vinaigrettes.
Geography/History
Leeks are native to eastern Mediterranean lands from Israel to India. They are very hardy plants that can withstand and survive cool, even cold climates throughout the Northern hemisphere. They grow best during temperatures ranging from 55°F to 75°F.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Avant | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Leeks. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Baby Leeks using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
|
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 317 days ago, 9/22/20 
Hayward Wisconsin
Hayward Farmers Market
Wisconsin, United States15886 US hwy 63 Hayward WI 54843 About 318 days ago, 9/21/20 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 565 days ago, 1/18/20 Sharer's comments : Baby leeks are looking quite beautiful! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 631 days ago, 11/13/19 Sharer's comments : Fix these leeks |
