Unlike onions, leeks feature a less pungent and intense taste, which makes them an excellent ingredient for risottos or soups. Leeks also taste very good added to a simple salad or a crunchy pinzimonio. They’re simply a must for your winter pantry!
No garlic or onion? Use leeks!
How many of you can't stand the intense flavor of garlic or onion? We get it. Even if onions and garlic are the basis for so many Italian recipes, the flavor is not so easy to digest for some. The solution? Use leeks! Leeks are a vegetable known and cultivated throughout Italy with a much lighter flavor that lends itself both to sophisticated recipes and to being used as a garnish for simple salads. In short, leeks are versatile and tasty, but above all, they have very few calories.
Leeks are good for weight loss
So, is it true that eating leeks is good for weight loss? Yep! Considering that this vegetable is so full of water (90%) and contains many minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium), vitamins (A and C) and fiber, you really can’t go wrong with leeks. Plus, the vitamin E found in leeks helps with the elasticity of the skin for that youthful glow we’re always searching for!
And since they contain so few calories, they’re great if you’re on a diet – especially considering the feeling of satiety they also provide. In fact, leeks are particularly recommended if you’re struggling to lose weight. Leeks also contain essential oils that stimulate the secretion of gastric juices, to facilitate digestion.
Raw or cooked leeks?
Leeks, like many other vegetables, are best eaten raw because they tend to lose their beneficial properties once cooked. You can add them to salads, make a mix of raw vegetables, or add them to a pinzimonio. Our only advice? Don’t slice them too far in advance – otherwise, they tend to blacken from oxidation. Leeks are also delicious cooked, though – especially in creamy vellutata soups, minestrone soups or as a filling for a savory pie! The white stem at the base of the leek can be stewed or used for cooking sauces or broths when sliced into rounds. In short, leeks are truly versatile and easy to use, making any dish tastier and healthier!
