If we are using garlic and onion greens, why not use leek greens. Moreover, it is edible, rich in vitamins and minerals. It is true that the white part is more tender, but losing the green leaves is a mistake. Let’s get around the question of how to use leek greens.
What does leek greens contain and why not throw it away?
Divided into two parts, white and green, leeks are grown for their fiber content, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. All this “bouquet” of nutrients puts it on a par with onions and asparagus. Adding a protective effect against certain types of cancer and diuretic properties, a person tends to include it in the menu often.
As for vitamins, the vegetable is rich in group B and vitamins A, K and C. The sweet taste of the white part is due to sucrose and fructans.
As for green leeks, they are richer in provitamin A and vitamin C than white ones. Several sulfur atoms are responsible for the specific smell when cutting a vegetable.
The list of minerals is also impressive: iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, magnesium, selenium and potassium.
Leek is one of the vegetables rich in fiber, consisting of pectins, due to which a soft texture is obtained.
Since difficult digestion is a problem for many people, leeks can be counted among their favorite vegetables. In this sense, leek greens contain cellulose and hemicellulose, which stimulate intestinal transit and serve as a natural prevention of constipation.
What to do with green onions?
Although leeks boast an enviable winter hardiness, it is necessary to know the exact moment and duration of their storage in the ground in winter. According to the description of this vegetable, in order to preserve the tenderness of its stems and so that it does not bloom, it is necessary to dig a fairly wide hole 30 cm deep and bury a bunch of leeks there, leaving the green part cut quite short. above.
The tougher green leaves should be cut into thin slices across the grain, but otherwise they can be used just like the rest of this wonderful vegetable.
Using both parts of the leek from the sundry includes many recipes, and the greens take pride of place.
Crispy Leek Recipe
Many leek soup recipes only call for the white part of the leek, perhaps to make it paler, but the green leaves have just as much flavor, if not more, and color the soup a brilliant light green. Roasted leek heads make a delicious side dish not only for this soup, but also for salads, rice dishes and stews, adding a generous umami seasoning.
To feed 4 people, you will need 1 well-washed leek weighing about 250 g, ½ a small onion, diced, 1 crumbly potato (about 220 g), diced, 500 ml vegetable broth (or water), sea salt and black pepper, 120 ml whole milk, light olive oil for frying and cream for serving (optional).
Finely chop about four tablespoons of thin green strips from the top of the leek and let dry. Coarsely chop the rest of the leeks and place in a medium saucepan with onions, potatoes and broth, season and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until potatoes are soft. Add milk, then stir the soup until smooth and season to taste.
To cook crispy green leek leaves, heat a small saucepan with plenty of oil over medium heat. Put in a piece of leek, and when it starts bubbling and floating to the surface, add the rest of the leek and fry for a few minutes until it turns crisp green while retaining some of its color. Remove with slotted spoon and serve with soup, drizzling with cream if desired.
Use Leek Greens as a Seasoning
We’re not sure if the diet leek soup made famous by the movie Emily in Paris will make you lose weight. On the other hand, the green part of the leek can be dried and used as a seasoning for soups, fried chicken, frozen and added to stir-fry.
If you used the white color of the vegetable, leave the green parts and put them in the fried crumbs. Cut into long thin strips and fry them in tempura like a batter. Chop them up and use as a garnish for soups and salads, like bacon bits.
Add them to your stir fry. The tough green leaves can withstand the heat of this method, but they need to be stirred constantly and cooked for a short time.
Put them in the bottom of a bamboo steamer to flavor lean fish or chicken.
If the idea of making a savory leek pie sounds absurd to you, think again! Finely chopped, the whole vegetable can be mixed with 5-6 eggs, 300 g of cheese, a glass of milk /optional/. Grease the bottom of a baking sheet and sprinkle with flour. Put the mixture on several sheets of puff pastry and bake in an oven preheated to 180 ° C.