Foods by Color: Leek Recipes

Get ready for some amazingly delicious leek recipes! From pastas, to gallettes, to soup, you are sure to find a leek recipe you will love!

I didn’t even know what a leek was until a few years ago but now I adore the lesser known cousin of onion and garlic.  Leeks taste great in soups, pastas, quiches and more. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly before you add them to your dishes though, I made the mistake of just quickly rinsing them once and the sandy texture that resulted was pretty unfortunate.

Not only are leeks, which taste like a sweet version of onions, delicious, but they are also packed with nutrients.The active substances in leeks help protect against cancer, particularly allyl sulfides, which block the action of hormones or chemical pathways within the body that promote cancer.  Eating allium vegetables (leeks, garlic, onion, shallots) regularly are associated with a reduced risk of prostate and colon cancer. The sulfides in the allium family also decrease the tendency for blood clots to form, lower levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol, and lower high blood pressure.  I normally just use the white bulb in cooking, but the tiny rootlets are mineral-dense and edible after you soak, rinse, mince and sauté.  Leeks contain two important carotenoid that aid in eye health, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are currently being researched for their ability to prevent macular degeneration.  Leeks also contain fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin A.

Leeks are available all year but their peak season is September through April.  When selecting leeks look for a clean, white slender bulb with two to three inches of white and tightly rolled dark green tops.  Slim, cylinder ones are younger than large bulbous ones and will have more delicate flavor and texture.  If the leek is limp at all then skip it.  When storing leeks lightly wrap the un-rinsed leeks in plastic wrap in your vegetable drawer of your refrigerator to contain their odor and moisture.  Leeks can be stored between five days and two weeks depending on how fresh they were when you purchased them.

Leek Recipes Round Up

Portobello and Leek Carbonara from How Sweet Eats

Velvety Cream of Potato Leek Soup from Salted Lemons

Leek Frittata from Cookie and Kate via With Style and Grace

Butternut Squash, Leek and Brie Galette from Strawberry Plum

You might also be interested in these  Top 10 Savory Galettes

Greek Macaroni with Roasted Garlic from Adventures in Cooking

Potato, Leek and Corn Chowder from My Recipes

Asparagus and Leek Spring Quiche from How Does She

Gruyere Crusted Leeks and Apple from Cheryl Sternman Rule via Oprah

Apple, Leek and Butternut Squash Gratin from Whole Living

Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Pancake Bake from Drizzle and Dip

Leek, Chard and Corn Flatbread from Smitten Kitchen

Cheesy Leek French Bread from A Nutritionist Eats

Cheesy Leek Risotto from Simply Delicious

Fettuccine with Goat Cheese, Leeks and Bacon from Not Without Salt

Eat More Leeks!

{Sources: 150 Healthiesst Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden Photo Source: Russel Kipnis on Etsy}

When you make any of these leek recipes please share on instagram using hashtag #rainbowdelicious & and tag me at @rainbowdelicious , I’d love to see what you are up to in your kitchen! \