Autumn Leeks Elevate Mashed Potatoes

Leeks can be intimidating but they capable of making borning mashed potatoes and elevating them to something extraordinary.

Usually harvested in the autumn months, they are easy to grow from seedlings and are ready six months after planting.

Much like an onion, they form a bulb and a long bundle of leaves above the ground.

The soil must be loose and well-drained. 

The bulbs of the plant do not tolerate wet soil.

As a very hearty vegetable, some varieties can survive during the early winter months, extending their harvest season.

Most agree, prolonging harvest will intensify the flavor.

Unlike its sister, the onion, leeks have a sweeter, milder flavor, and can be a great alternative in the kitchen to the onion in most culinary dishes.

Very easy to plant

1.  Prepare holes for seedlings by making a row of holes, approximately 5-6 inches deep, which should be about the height of your seedlings.  Holes can be made using a shovel or broom handle.  Place the holes approximately 5-inches apart.
2. Place a single seedling in each hole.   Verify roots of seedlings are at the bottom of each hole.
3. Water seedlings very well.  Filling each hole with water.
4. Once the water has soaked into the surrounding dirt; cover the seedlings with loose soil.
5. I recommend pegging down horticultural fleece around the crop; protecting it from a light frost and pests.
6. Only the very tip-top of each seedling should be exposed.

Harvesting mature leeks

If in heavy soil, use a fork-tool to lift the bulb and roots out of the ground.   If loose soil, just pulling on the green stalk leaves, should do the trick.

Leeks in the kitchen

Because I LOVE their aroma and sweet flavor…I have made many dishes using leeks…

Braised Halibut with Leeks

Leek Soup

and a Quick Leek Potato Soup

Due to the layered structure of leeks, it is crucial to clean them properly.

Prepare leeks by cutting off the dark green stalk, just where it meets the light green color in the bulb.

I never use the stalks, although some home cooks have used them to flavor stock.

To remove all the dirt and sand possibly lingering inside each layer; I cut up the leeks appropriate to the cooking method; place all trimmings in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cool water.

Boiling leeks will reduce their flavor and make them soft.

Frying will preserve the flavor but can give them a crispy texture.

Raw leeks can be added to salads or as a substitute for onions.

Sauteing leeks, MY PREFERRED METHOD, turns them bright green and enhances the rich flavor.

So…it is autumn…peek leek season…. Let’s elevate simple, home-cooked mashed potatoes by adding sautéed leeks.

Elevate Your Mashed Potatoes

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Mashed Potatoes with Leeks

Adding leeks to your mashed potatoes makes an ordinary dish, extraordinary.  

Course Side Dishes, vegetables

Cuisine American

Keyword leeks, mashed potatoes

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Author JoAnn

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. Yukon Gold Potatoes cut into 1/2" pieces
• 7 Tbsp butter
• 3 leeks cut and chopped
• 1/3 cup warm milk
• pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

• Peel, wash and cut potatoes into 1/2" pieces.

  Place in a large pot and cover with water. 

  Cook 15 minutes after reaching the boiling point. 

  Drain. Place back in the pot, on low heat to evaporate all remaining liquid, this should take 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare leeks for cooking by cutting and slicing to make small pieces. [mv_img id="5403"]
  
• Place 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Melt butter over medium-high heat.
• Once the butter has melted, add chopped leeks. 

  Saute, stirring often until leeks are bright green and soft.
• Add leeks to already drained potatoes.
• Add 4 -5 more tablespoons of butter to the potato/leek mixture. 
• Add 1/3 cup of warm milk.
• Mash and stir potatoes until combined.
• Season with salt and pepper.