Leek Monstrueux d'Elbeuf organic seeds - Allium porrum

The 'Monstrueux d'Elbeuf' ORGANIC leek is an old variety that comes straight from Normandy, more precisely from the Elbeuf region. Inheritor of a long market gardening tradition, this leek is appreciated for its hardiness and its ability to produce beautiful harvests even in difficult conditions and without treatment. It stands out for its earliness, robustness, and productivity. Sow Monstrueux d'Elbeuf from January to May and harvest from June to December.

This leek lives up to its name: it is truly "monstrous" with its thick white fleshy boles and vigorous green foliage. It offers generous harvests that can easily meet a family's needs. Moreover, it is particularly resistant to cold, making it a preferred choice for autumn and winter crops. In terms of taste, the Monstreuex d'Elbeuf Leek is equally remarkable: its sweet and refined taste makes it ideal for a wide variety of culinary preparations.

In the kitchen, the 'Monstrueux d'Elbeuf' shines with its versatility. It can be used in classic dishes such as leek and potato soup, perfect for winter evenings, or in a leek fondue that pairs wonderfully with fish or poultry. It is also excellent in quiche, baked with a creamy béchamel sauce, or simply prepared with vinaigrette for a fresh and tasty starter. Its natural sweetness makes it a perfect base for creative recipes or family dishes. It is worth mentioning that vitamins are more abundant in the green parts of the plant. Monstrueux d'Elbeuf has a rich flavour. Reserve it for dishes that will highlight it.
Sow from January to May and harvest from June to December.

The leek, in Latin Allium porrum, is a biennial herbaceous plant of the Alliaceae family. Native to Central Asia, it was cultivated by the Egyptians over 1500 years before our time. At that time, its leaves were long and particularly thin. The Romans also appreciated it, and its shape then resembled more that of its cousin, the onion, with a very slender bole and a well-rounded bulb. By the Middle Ages, it was widely spread throughout Europe.

This very hardy vegetable, some winter varieties of which can withstand temperatures below -15, even -20°C, can be sown for most of the year (February to August). Considered a winter vegetable, it can be harvested in almost all seasons. The leek is rich in dietary fibres facilitating digestion. It is also rich in vitamins C and B and in sulphur compounds with antioxidant properties. It also has the reputation, like onions, of lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, among other benefits.

It is good for health, but also from a taste perspective: its flavour is halfway between onion and asparagus, which led to one of its nicknames, "poor man's asparagus". It is mainly the white bole and rootlets that are consumed. It is used in the preparation of many local dishes around the world. It is a key element of the traditional pot-au-feu, but is also consumed in soups, quiches, cold with vinaigrette, or even thinly sliced raw in salads, etc. The Japanese particularly appreciate it: it is found in many recipes such as sushi and sashimi or delicious leeks with sesame.

Harvesting: pick your leeks as needed. Harvesting generally takes place between 5 and 8 months after sowing. Gently pull on the leek to avoid bruising or cutting into the bole. You can use a small spade a few cm from the desired leek to lever it out more easily.

Storage: you can store it for two weeks in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. They can be stored for almost 3 months in the freezer. Bag them after blanching for a few minutes, rinsing under cold water, and then carefully drying.

Gardener's tip: associate leeks with carrots. The carrot fly dislikes leeks and the leek fly is not fond of carrots! Tomatoes, lettuces, and strawberries are also good companion plants for leeks, but it dislikes the presence of its cousin the onion, as well as beetroot and beans.

To know if a leek needs watering, simply observe its foliage: if it stands tall and proud, all is well, it is not thirsty. If its foliage wilts and leans to the side, it probably needs a drink.