Take a Leek this St David's Day
Leek farmers across the UK are calling on people everywhere to celebrate this St David's Day with a Leek. For years we've celebrated Burns Night with Haggis and Thanksgiving with Turkey. Now it's the turn of the humble Leek to take centre stage on Wales' national day!
Wear it in your hat or helmet, share it, eat it raw like the Royal Welsh Fusiliers or cook it, there are plenty of ways to celebrate with Wales' national symbol this weekend.
The leek has long been associated with the Welsh Saint David. In the Middle Ages when Saint David was alive, the leek was seen as healthy and virtuous with extraordinary healing qualities including purging the blood, keeping colds at bay and healing wounds.
It also acquired mystic virtues. It was claimed that girls who slept with a leek under their pillow on St David's Day would see their future husband in their dreams!
If you don't fancy putting a leek under your pillow, then there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this delicious British staple at the height of the season.
With its warming, mild, sweet, flavour and smooth texture, the British leek makes a welcome addition to stacks of recipes - especially when complementing other famous Welsh ingredients such as succulent lamb or creamy Caerphilly cheese.
Fascinating Leek Facts
The British Leek season runs from September - April
Phoenician traders introduced Leeks to Wales when they were trading for tin
Leeks are the national symbol of Wales
Folk law says that girls who sleep with a leek under their pillow on St David's Day will see their future husband in their dreams!
Leeks are a member of the onion family
Leeks are extremely nutritious they are packed with Folate - great for expectant mums, Manganese, Vitamin B6 and Iron
Leeks contain Quercetin, which has been proven to protect against cancer.
A leek only contains 17 calories - great for a diet
Farmer Andy Blair who helped set upThe Really Welsh Trading Companyin Wales eight years ago and now grows 160 acres of Welsh leeks across Wales says, "In recent years the humble leek has been forgotten as consumer have experiment with trendy new vegetables. But leeks are delicious, versatile and most importantly 100% Welsh and should definitely form the heart of any St David day meals. My favourite way of eating leeks is with a traditional Sunday lunch drizzled with gravy."
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Notes to the editor
Available for interview: Representatives from the British Leek Growers Association are available for interview and are able to talk about every aspect of the great British Leek. From farming to nutrition, recipes and cooking to the history of the leek. Contact Carole Pendle or Gail Painter on the numbers below for further information.
Suggested Interview Questions
Why are leeks associated with St David's Day?
Are leeks really a Welsh food?
Are leeks grown outside Wales?
When are leeks in season?
How can you cook a leek?
Suggest a traditional recipe for St David's Day?
Are leeks good for me?
Photograph shows: Patrick Allpress, a leek farmer from Chatteris, Cambridgeshire.
For further press information
Carole Pendle Gail Painter
Pendle PR Pendle PR
Tel: 07768 462601 Tel: 07843 238964
Email:carole@pendlepr.com Email:gail@pendlepr.com