What are leeks—and what do they do?
Leeks look a lot like green onions, but they’re not green onions. So what are they—and what do you do with them? What Are Leeks? A leek is a vegetable in the Allium genus, which also contains onions, green onions, garlic, shallots, scallions, and chives.
Where is Leek?
Leek is a market town and civil parish in the county of Staffordshire, England, on the River Churnet.
What does a leek look like from the inside?
Like onions and other members of the Allium family, leeks are a bulbous vegetable with white flesh and leafy green tops. The bulb, however, is not round, but just slightly larger than the stem nearest the roots. The more rounded the bulb, the older the leek.
Who owned Leek in 1086?
All were held by the Crown in 1086, but by 1093 Leek had been granted to Hugh, earl of Chester. The entry in Domesday Book for Leek 'with the appendages' probably covered the site of the later town, Lowe to the south and west, Tittesworth, the area of the later townships of Bradnop and Onecote, and most of Leekfrith.
What was Leek famous for?
In the 17th and 18th centuries the town was famous for its ale. Prince Charles Edward Stuart passed through Leek on his march to Derby (1745) and again on his return journey to Scotland.
How did the town of Leek get its name?
(fn. 14) A derivation from either Old English or Old Norse has been suggested for the name Leek itself. The centre of the area in the 10th century may have been at Rudyard, but by the 11th century Leek was the centre, with a church built perhaps c. 1000.
What country is Leek in?
The leek is an ancient crop and is native to eastern Mediterranean lands and the Middle East. The plant is related to the onion and has a mild, sweet, onionlike flavour. Leek stalks are widely used in European soups and stews, especially as a complement to potatoes, and can be cooked whole as a vegetable.
Is Leek a nice place to live?
Leek was recently voted the best place to live in Staffordshire and we want to build on that reputation. There is a strong sense of community in Leek and we see it in the responses to the stresses of Covid – as well as to the unwelcome litter in our streets.
Why is the leek a symbol of Wales?
Because Leeks Win Battles This was the original symbol of Wales and, as legend has it, originated from a great battle against the Saxons. St. David (or some sources say The C7th king of Gwynedd, Cadwaladr) advised the Welsh to wear leeks in their hats to show which side they were on.
Is leek worth visiting?
Clustered around a stone-cobbled market square, its well-preserved architecture and historical links with the Napoleonic Wars and the Arts and Crafts movement make it a popular destination for an interesting town walk.
What is the history of leeks?
The leek, a cousin of the onion, is a member of the lilaceae family. Originally from central Asia, it has been consumed since ancient times. It was on the menu of the Egyptians and later the Romans, pioneers of gastronomy, used it plentifully in their cuisine, especially during their great feasts.
What family does leek belong to?
AmaryllidaceaeLeek / FamilyLeeks (Allium ampeloprasum) are members of the Alliaceae family. Other members of the family include onion and garlic. The leek plant is a robust herbaceous biennial that has been cultivated for centuries but has not been found wild. Leek plants resemble large onion plants with flat leaves.
Why do the Welsh wear daffodils?
Nowadays, the daffodil is considered the national flower of Wales and is traditionally worn by those who celebrate St David's Day. Daffodils are a chosen symbol as the flowers bloom early in the year and just in time for St David's Day, an important occasion in Wales.
What is the poshest part of Stoke-on-Trent?
We can reveal which Stoke-on-Trent street is the most expensive. Over the course of 2019, the average price of the properties sold in Josiah Drive, Barlaston, just inside the city boundary was a staggering £738,000.
What is the safest place to live in Staffordshire?
There are safer parts of Staffordshire, starting with Burntwood which ranks as the safest area in Staffordshire, followed up by Cannock in second place, and Lichfield in third place.
What's it like to live in Newcastle-under-Lyme?
Living in Newcastle-under-Lyme The town has an appealing mix of well-known retail chains and well-established independent traders as well as a six-day market. On top of this, there is a wide choice of cafes, pubs and restaurants to try, in addition to sporting facilities and highly regarded educational centres.
What is the history of leeks?
The leek, a cousin of the onion, is a member of the lilaceae family. Originally from central Asia, it has been consumed since ancient times. It was on the menu of the Egyptians and later the Romans, pioneers of gastronomy, used it plentifully in their cuisine, especially during their great feasts.
What is the population of leek?
Known locally as the “Queen of The Moorlands”, the busy market town of Leek has a population of 20,000 and is situated in the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands.
LEEK
The ancient parish of Leek extending north to the county boundary with Cheshire consisted of the 12 townships of Leek and Lowe (including the town of Leek), Bradnop, Endon, Heaton, Leekfrith, Longsdon, Onecote, Rudyard, Rushton James, Rushton Spencer, Stanley, and Tittesworth. (fn. 1) The largest parish in Staffordshire, it was 33,254 a.
Parish government
The parish was divided into the quarters of Leek and Lowe (including the town of Leek), Bradnop (consisting of the townships of Bradnop and Onecote), Endon (consisting of Endon, Longsdon, and Stanley), and Leekfrith (consisting of Heaton, Leekfrith, Rudyard, Rushton James, Rushton Spencer, and Tittesworth).
Geography
Most of the town is at or above 600 feet (180 m) and is surrounded by the higher countryside of the Staffordshire Moorlands which is situated on the southern uplands of the Pennines .
History
Leek (Lee, Leike, Leeke) formed part of the great estates of Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia; it escheated to William the Conqueror who held it at the time of the Domesday Survey.
Architecture and development
Listed buildings include the original parish church, St Edward the Confessor's, and a Victorian church, All Saints', designed by Richard Norman Shaw . Many Victorian period buildings still stand in the town.
Notable residents
Leek was the home of James Brindley, the 18th century canal engineer. He built a water-powered corn mill in 1752. This watermill is now preserved as Brindley Water Mill and Museum.
Tourist attractions and leisure
Nearby Rudyard Lake is a popular tourist attraction and home to the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, running along its eastern shores. Other nearby local attractions are the local football club Leek Town F.C., Alton Towers, the cultural and leisure facilities of the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and the Peak District National Park.
Local transport
The town of Leek is served by First with a regular number 18 bus service (or 16 on an alternative route via Cellarhead). There are also bus services to the nearby towns of Buxton and Macclesfield .
Sport
The town's first known football club was Leek F.C. It was formed in the late 1870s, and wound up in the 1890s.
What Are Leeks?
A leek is a vegetable in the Allium genus, which also contains onions, green onions, garlic, shallots, scallions, and chives.
What Do They Taste Like?
Leeks taste like onions, but milder and slightly sweeter. This makes them a welcome addition to all sorts of dishes. For instance, they’re commonly used in soups, casseroles, and salads.
Leek Nutrition
Good news, leek lovers: The veggie is super healthy. Here are some nutritional highlights:
How to Prepare Leeks
First things first: When you’re shopping, look for crisp and firm leeks that are light green and white. Avoid them if they’re withered or yellowed. Pro-tip: The smaller the leek, the more flavor it probably packs.
Leek Recipes
Ready to try your hand at cooking with leeks? Check out some of our best leek recipes ever:
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What Are Leeks and What Do They Taste Like?
A member of the Allium family, leeks are a bulbous vegetable with a white base that transitions from light green to dark green at the top. Only the tender white portion is eaten. Some mistake this portion as the stem or stalk, but it is actually a cylindrical bundle of leaf sheaths.
How to Pick Leeks
Because you'll be using only the white and light green parts for cooking, look for leeks with plenty of white coming up from the root. Smaller leaks tend to be more flavorful.
How to Cook With Leeks
Braised, steamed, sautéed, poached, or pureed, a sturdy-looking leek cooks down to velvety sweetness. French leek and potato soup is a favorite dish in which leeks and potatoes are pureed in a cream-based soup. You can also add sliced likes to a creamy dip to add onion-like flavor without overwhelming the dip.
How to Store Leeks
Leeks can keep for months when stored in a root cellar, or up to two weeks when loosely wrapped in plastic and kept in the fridge. Don't wash or trim them until you're ready to use, as this can help prevent their odor from being absorbed by neighboring foods.
Leeks Nutrition
Leeks are low in calories, much like green onions, and boast a number of health benefits:
Leek vs. Green Onions
Green onions are the best substitute for leeks, however, they're still quite different. Unlike leeks which tenderize while cooking, green onions can become slimy under high heat. Green onions have a much pungent flavor than leeks, which is why they are generally added to dishes after cooking to add freshness and crunch.
Overview
History
Leek (Lee, Leike, Leeke) formed part of the great estates of Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia; it escheated to William the Conqueror who held it at the time of the Domesday Survey. Later it passed to the earls Palatine of Chester, remaining in their hands until Ralph de Blundevill, earl of Chester, gave it to the abbey of Dieulacresse, which continued to hold it until its dissolution. The same earl in a charter which he gave to the town (temp. John) calls it a borough and grants to his free burgess…
Economy
The town had a regular cattle market for hundreds of years, reflecting its role as a centre of local farming. Following the Industrial Revolution it was a major producer of textiles, with silk working in particular coming to dominate the industrial landscape. However, this industry has now ceased.
The mills from the town's textile era remain and many have now been converte…
Geography
Most of the town is at or above 600 feet (180 m) and is surrounded by the higher countryside of the Staffordshire Moorlands which is situated on the southern uplands of the Pennines.
Leek is built on the slope and crown of a hill which is situated just a few miles south of the Roaches; a gritstone escarpment which rises steeply to 1,657 feet (…
Architecture and development
Listed buildings include the original parish church, St Edward the Confessor's, and a Victorian church, All Saints', designed by Richard Norman Shaw. Many Victorian period buildings still stand in the town.
Many of Leek's buildings were built by the family architectural practice of the Sugdens. In 1849 William Sugden (b. 1821 in Keighley) came to Leek. He was a…
Notable residents
Leek was the home of James Brindley, the 18th century canal engineer. He built a water-powered corn mill in 1752. This watermill is now preserved as Brindley Water Mill and Museum.
William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement, often visited Leek between 1875 and 1878. He studied dyeing with Thomas Wardle, owner of a dy…
Tourist attractions and leisure
Nearby Rudyard Lake is a popular tourist attraction and home to the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, running along its eastern shores. Other nearby local attractions are the local football club Leek Town F.C., Alton Towers, the cultural and leisure facilities of the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and the Peak District National Park. The Churnet Valley Railway at Cheddleton also attracts several thousand …
Transport
The town of Leek is served by First Potteries. There is a generally hourly service on route 18 to Hanley and 16 on an alternative route via Cellarhead. There are also bus services to the nearby towns of Buxton and Macclesfield.
Leek no longer has its own national railway station; the nearest is now at Congleton, for local stopping services to Manchester, and Stoke-on-Trent for inter-city services to London and Manche…