Produce Briefs...
Radicchio
Cooking radicchio brings out the vegetable's natural sweetness but it can also be served fresh. Grill radicchio halves and combine with cooked white beans and balsamic vinaigrette.
Pea Tendrils
These delicate vines have a distinctive and robust flavor that tastes like a cross between sweet peas and spinach.
Seasons/Availability
Leeks are available year round with a peak season in late winter or early spring.
Current Facts
The natural life cycle of a leek dictates that it must reproduce. This happens more often during later spring or early summer months when the weather becomes warmer. If the leek is not harvested in a timely manner, seasonal warmth will trigger the leek to flower and begin 'going to seed', causing the core to become more solid, cork like and lose its pronounced rings.
Description/Taste
Leeks will not form bulbs or produce cloves like their cousins, but instead develop an edible, 6 - 10 inch-long, round stem that can measure 2 inches in diameter. The leek's cylindrical, white, edible root gradually becomes a stalk with a fan of dark green, flat leaves. Offering an earthy, mild onion flavor, the texture of a leek is crunchy when raw and silky when cooked. Leeks are considered to be the sweetest and most mild members of the onion family.
Nutritional Value
Leeks are a good source of iron, vitamin C and folate. Four ounces of raw leek contains about 75 calories.
Applications
Though leeks are often interchangeable with onions and garlic, they can require specific preparation and are often highlighted in recipes for their particular flavor. Slowly cook sliced leeks in olive oil and butter until soft, then toss with beans and pasta. Cook with potatoes and vegetable broth, the puree for a classic potato-leek soup. Slow-cook with butter and cream and serve with seafood such as seared scallops. Grill whole or halved leeks and serve as a started or topping for bruschette. Braise in wine and vegetable stalk until very tender, then top with a mustard-based vinaigrette. Add sauteed leeks to quiche, savory tarts or pies. To store, refrigerate in a plastic bag up to three days.
Geography/History
Leeks are native to eastern Mediterranean lands from Israel to India. Leeks, Allium ampeloprasum, are very hardy plants that can withstand and survive cold climates. Leeks can be grown for harvesting at different stages, from small or baby, to teen-sized, to mature.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the other 71...
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Leeks. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Leeks are available year round with a peak season in late winter or early spring.
Current Facts
The natural life cycle of a leek dictates that it must reproduce. This happens more often during later spring or early summer months when the weather becomes warmer. If the leek is not harvested in a timely manner, seasonal warmth will trigger the leek to flower and begin 'going to seed', causing the core to become more solid, cork like and lose its pronounced rings.
Description/Taste
Leeks will not form bulbs or produce cloves like their cousins, but instead develop an edible, 6 - 10 inch-long, round stem that can measure 2 inches in diameter. The leek's cylindrical, white, edible root gradually becomes a stalk with a fan of dark green, flat leaves. Offering an earthy, mild onion flavor, the texture of a leek is crunchy when raw and silky when cooked. Leeks are considered to be the sweetest and most mild members of the onion family.
Nutritional Value
Leeks are a good source of iron, vitamin C and folate. Four ounces of raw leek contains about 75 calories.
Applications
Though leeks are often interchangeable with onions and garlic, they can require specific preparation and are often highlighted in recipes for their particular flavor. Slowly cook sliced leeks in olive oil and butter until soft, then toss with beans and pasta. Cook with potatoes and vegetable broth, the puree for a classic potato-leek soup. Slow-cook with butter and cream and serve with seafood such as seared scallops. Grill whole or halved leeks and serve as a started or topping for bruschette. Braise in wine and vegetable stalk until very tender, then top with a mustard-based vinaigrette. Add sauteed leeks to quiche, savory tarts or pies. To store, refrigerate in a plastic bag up to three days.
Geography/History
Leeks are native to eastern Mediterranean lands from Israel to India. Leeks, Allium ampeloprasum, are very hardy plants that can withstand and survive cold climates. Leeks can be grown for harvesting at different stages, from small or baby, to teen-sized, to mature.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Boat House Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0155 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
| 333 Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-433-3333 |
| Inn at Rancho Sante Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1131 |
| Table 926 | San Diego CA | 858-539-0926 |
| La Villa | San Diego CA | 619 255 5544 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Come On In La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-551-1063 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Savory | Encinitas CA | 760-597-8989 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Delicia's | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-8000 |
| Kensington Grill | San Diego CA | 619-281-4014 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Chart House Restaurant Cardiff | Cardiff-by-the-Sea CA | 760-436-4044 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Bankers Hill Restaurant and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-231-0222 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Croces | San Diego CA | 619-233-4355 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6800 |
| Inn at the Park | San Diego CA | 619-296-0057 |
| Vagabond | San Diego CA | 619-255-1035 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-543-2764 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Urban Plates Del Mar | San Diego CA | 760-632-8431 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 415-308-5572 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 619-298-4646 |
| La Valencia | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| Fabrisons | San Diego CA | 619-955-8834 |
| Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
| Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill | San Diego CA | 619-497-0914 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Cafe Secret | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0821 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Prepkitchen Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-247-0394 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Market Restaurant and Bar | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0007 |
| Red Light District | San Diego CA | 619-255-2800 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Sea Rocket Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7049 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Ebisu Sushi Bar | San Diego CA | 619-297-3119 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Stone Flats Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-2280 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Stout Public House | San Diego CA | 619-702-7933 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Crush | Solana Beach CA | 858-481-2787 |
| Hotel Del 1500 Ocean | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| New York on Rye | San Diego CA | 760-650-6960 |
| Tapenade | San Diego CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Cafe Chloe | San Diego CA | 619-232-3242 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| The Oceanaire Seafood Room | San Diego CA | 619-858-2277 |
| Jayne's Gastropub | San Diego CA | 619-925-5703 |
| Villa Capri 3 - Capri East Chula Vista | Chula Vista CA | 619-948-1168 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| World Famous | San Diego CA | 858-272-3100 |
| Bo Beau Kitchen & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-224-2884 |
| Toast Enoteca Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-269-4342 |
| Villa Capri Cucina Italiana | San Diego CA | 858-720-8777 |
| Delta Zeta | San Diego CA | 858-337-7536 |
| Barbarella | San Diego CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Bernard'O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-487-7171 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-436-5236 |
| The Bristol Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-784-6835 |
| Neighborhood Burger Wine and Beer | San Diego CA | 619-446-0002 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
| Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-238-9880 |
| Sapori | Coronado CA | 619-319-5696 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Snooze H.C, LLC | San Diego CA | 619-500-3344 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Bay Recovery | San Diego CA | 619-727-0587 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-255-2491 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Leeks. One
is easiest, three is harder.
