How To: Harvest, Clean and Store Wild Leeks
How To: Harvest, Clean and Store Wild Leeks
Leek season is upon us and Northern Michigan forests throughout the region are filled with the scent of wild leeks, as well as people finding leeks and heading home to cook with leeks or freeze or store wild leeks.
Almost any wooded property in Northern Michigan will have wild leeks, and spotting them is easy: Just look for the first green foliage on the forest floor after the snow melts until late May or early June. Both the greens and bulbs are edible. [Our favorite leek recipes!]
Leeks grow in clusters that originate from a single growing point under the ground. But don’t be greedy and dig up the whole cluster with a shovel. Pick two or three leeks farthest out on the cluster, reaching in with a finger to snap the individual leeks off horizontally rather than yanking them out of the ground. This method leaves the growing point intact to produce again next year. [Wild Leek Dos and Dont’s]
*Know that leek foraging isn’t permitted in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and another note of caution: Do not search for leeks on open dunes and open meadows, because there is a poisonous plant called the Death Camas that resembles leeks and grows in those environments. A key thing to know: leeks smell like onions; death camas do not.
Clean Your Leeks Cut off the root tip if there is one, pull off the dirtiest outer layers and wash.
Freeze Your Leeks Slice and saute them in butter, pack in plastic bags and freeze. When you’re ready to use them, simply pull them out of the freezer and let the butter remelt in a skillet.
Dry Your Leeks Chop cleaned leeks into half-inch lengths. Place them on cookie sheets and put them in the oven at 170 degrees for about six hours or until they are dry. Store in plastic bags or clean, dry jars. Best used in soups and stews.
By: MyNorth Media