Leeks Preparation

Choosing Leeks
Look for slender, straight leeks. Leeks more than about 1 1/2 inches wide tend to have tough inner cores. The top green leaves should look fresh - avoid leeks with wilted or yellowing tops.

Cleaning Leeks
There are a couple of ways to clean leeks.

• Cut into white and light green part of leek lengthwise and rinse under running water.
• Chop or slice leek, place pieces in a colander, and rinse under running water.
• If cooking leeks whole, trim off dark green leaves and root end. Cut an "x" an inch or two into the root end, and soak leek in a large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Any sand or grit will sink to the bottom of the bowl, so lift leeks out of water rather than pouring contents into a colander.