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Leeks Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to leeksÂ
About leeks
Leeks are vegetables categorized within the allium family, which also include garlic and onion. Nutritionally, they are rich in Vitamin K and B6, manganese, dietary fiber, and iron. They are essential for pregnant women for their rich folate. They are tender with a mild onion taste, but with a moderately sweet edge. Their versatile flavor makes them ideal in a wide variety of dishes, including pasta, stews, soups, and others.
How to pick out leeksÂ
Leeks can last for a few days but will go bad if improperly stored. The best way to ensure that they stay for 7-14 days is by storing them in a refrigerator. Avoid washing them before you put them in the fridge because this can accelerate their deterioration. You should use plastic to wrap them loosely before putting them in the fridge. It is important to wrap them well to ensure that their moisture is preserved and their unique aroma does not spread to the other items within the fridge as it is quite strong.Â
Leeks that have gone bad will have an off-putting smell and appearance. You should discard any leeks that do not smell or look fresh, as well as those with mold.
There are two categories of leeks: summer and overwintering. Summer leeks mature and get harvested in the same season they were planted, while the overwintering ones get harvested during the next summer. Overwintering leeks have more flavor and are larger than summer ones. The following are some of the leek varieties you might come across:
- Varna: It is planted early on in the season and has slim stems and leaves.
- Columbus:Â Also planted early in the season and produces medium-sized leeks whose leaves are blue-green.
- King Richard: It is a summer leek that has elongated, slim stems that produce a sweet, soft product that remains white throughout the summer. This leek is great for salads and soups.
- Rival: A large variety, it also does best when planted at the onset of the season and matures to a height of 36 inches and 2 inches in diameter with green leaves.
- Lancelot:Â It is a short leek that has a big cylindrical stem and green-gray leaves. It's also resistant to frost.
- Otina: This variety originated from France and is a late-season version. Its leaves are greenish-blue, and it has a mild flavor.
Tips for cooking leeksÂ
If you want to cook your leeks whole, first trim the dark green leaves and the root side off, put the leeks in a bowl, add cold water and wait for thirty minutes as the leeks soak in. Lift out the leeks when the thirty minutes are over and remove any sand or grit that has sunk to the bottom.
When you need to cut the leeks, lay them on your cutting board and chop the light green and white parts. Lay the chopped pieces flat and cut them into thin half-moons before cleaning them again inside the colander. Then, use a kitchen towel or paper towel to dry them before you begin cooking.
There are three cooking methods for leeks, which are:
- Grilling: Slice the leeks lengthwise in half, then rinse them and ensure they dry properly. Set the grill to medium-high and barbecue on both sides until they are tender and well-charred.
- Roasting: After chopping the leeks into 1-inch pieces, mix them with olive oil, pepper, and salt and bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees, or at least to when they get soft.
- Sauteing: Cut the leeks into small bits and put them into a large skillet filled with warm olive oil over medium heat. Stir occasionally for five minutes until they are soft.
Leeks Near Me
Buy your favorite Leeks online with Instacart. Order Leeks from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about leeksÂ
Leeks can be available in the winter, fall, and sometimes during spring. Their diverse availability is because of their capability to tolerate a variety of growing conditions.
Straight, slender, firm leeks that have leaves that stand up straight are ideal. Ensure that the leaves look fresh as well.
When shopping for leeks, you want to relax at home and get on with the rest of your chores or start cooking other meals as soon as possible. You can do this by simply ordering via the Instacart app and letting us deliver to your home. You can even get your order in as little as 2 hours!
There are several ways to clean leaks properly, which are:
- Separating each leek lengthwise by cutting close to where the light green and white parts intersect.
- Rinsing under running water to remove dirt and other particles.
- Slicing or chopping the leek, then putting the pieces in a colander and letting them get washed by running water.