Asked by
janaki ram
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Food & Drink
at
10:43 AM on January 08, 2009
Deepthi's Answer
Leeks are root vegetables that look quite similar to onions, to which they are related. Their flavor is onion-like but much milder. People who avoid leeks because they don't like onions should try them -- their flavor is mellow and not overpowering, and many onion-haters love leeks.
Leeks don't form much of a bulb on the end of the root as onions do. Instead, they remain cylindrical, with perhaps a slight bulge at the end. The part of the leek that is under ground remains tender and white, while the part exposed to the sunlight becomes tough and fibrous and not very good eating. To maximize the edible part of the leek, farmers mound the dirt up around the sprouting plant; this keeps more of it underground and white, but also means that dirt often gets between the layers, so leeks need careful cleaning before cooking.
Answered at
11:25 AM on January 08, 2009
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