Why The Aromatic Leeks Are Good For Your Health And Wellbeing

Leeks are versatile, aromatic, and healthy

Leeks are delicious and healthy vegetables. It consists mainly of water and is low in calories. Nevertheless, leeks quickly satisfy hunger and provide the body with vitamins, essential oils, and minerals. Leek has a beneficial effect on metabolism and digestion. It can be eaten raw, frozen, pickled, marinated, dried, boiled, and fried.

Eat leeks regularly and get a strong immune system.

Leek: a vegetable with a history

Leeks (Allium porrum) belongs to the daffodil family, like onions and garlic. As a vegetable and spice plant, our ancestors cultivated it for at least 4000 years and also used it as a medicinal plant.

In ancient Egypt, according to Herodotus, Leek was served as a refreshing meal for the workers who built the pyramids. 

The emperor Nero ate Leek every day because he believed that this would improve his singing voice. For this reason, he gave it the nickname “Porrophagus” (leek eater). From Italy, the Leek finally made its way, and everyone welcomed the aromatic vegetable.

Ingredients of the Leeks

Leeks are bursting with healthy ingredients. They are abundant in Vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and secondary plant substances. Leek is rich in nutrients and low in calories, and is very easy to digest Also. Leeks develop their health benefits through their high fiber content, especially inulin.

Leek contains many healthy ingredients:

• Among other things, iron is essential for the production of energy in the cell.
• Potassium plays a significant role in the transmission of impulses to muscle and nerve cells.
• Vitamin C positively influences many metabolic processes.

The sulfur-containing essential oils in the vegetable aid digestion and have anti-inflammatory effects.

In addition, leeks contain a lot of vitamin C, B vitamins, beta-carotene, and folic acid. Also, plenty of iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Not only is Leek healthy for our heart but also our microbiome. It contains soluble fiber, including prebiotics, which promotes healthy intestinal bacteria and supports our health. They also are more tender and milder in taste than onions. 

Leek has a diuretic, laxative, and antiseptic effect with its vitamin B and C content and the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphate, potassium, and silicon.

Leek puts you in a good mood.

It lifts your mood and prevents stress and depression. The reason for this is the high content of B vitamins, especially vitamin B6 and vitamin B1. The trace element manganese also contributes to the fact that the body can better utilize vitamin B1.

What to look for to buy good quality Leeks?

It is essential to ensure that the leaves do not appear withered. In addition, they should be bright green in color. It must appear crisp and juicy. The Leek has to be fresh to taste good. Best is you buy it at the local farmers market.
Refrain from buying ready-cut vegetables; they will spoil too quickly. It is also advisable to use organically grown varieties.
You can freeze leeks without any problems if they are briefly blanched.

Recipes with Leeks

Leek, Fennel, Apple and Walnut Soup with Turmeric

A golden and revitalizing fennel walnut soup with apples, leeks, and turmeric. Walnuts are blended into the soup for an extra creamy texture.

Leek Salad with Apples and Carrots

This simple leek salad with apples and carrots makes a great side dish for any meal that could use some extra crunch and freshness. 

Leek Quiche

When I see recipes like this, I just love it! Not only are great plant-based quiche dishes, but add the leeks, and it’s even better than you can imagine.

Leek Bolani (Afghan Leek Stuffed Flatbread)

This Afghan-inspired recipe is one you simply have to try. I’m so sold on it that if I lived close by, I’d buy all the ingredients, come to your home and make it for you.

Kale and Leek Pesto Pasta With Tofu

This pasta salad has the addition of kale and leek pesto, which makes it burst with flavor. It’s so fresh and green! Who doesn’t love a good pesto? It’s one of my absolute favorites, and this recipe will move right to the top of my go-to list. You can make this in under 20 minutes, and it’s amazing hot or cold. What’s not to like?

Vegan Leek and Spinach Frittata

A vegan frittata is a great go-to for those days when you want something delicious for breakfast or a hurried lunch without spending hours at the stove. It takes literally minutes–10 minutes at most–to put everything together, and then all you need to do is let the oven cook it up for you.

Vegan Mujadara with Leeks

Mujadara, a Lebanese medley of onions, rice, and lentils, is delicious proof that the simplest of recipes can sometimes be the most satisfying and flavorful.

vegan leek gratin

Here’s a vegan leek gratin for the feast! Thanksgiving in the U.S. is this week, and the holidays are just around the corner. It’s time to bookmark this creamy, crispy, gooey gratin recipe so you can wow all your dinner guests!

See also Boost Your Immune System With Seasonal Vegetables

See also >Long Live Leeks: Grow Leeks Year Round