On 08/12/2013 14:42, Chris wrote:
Many leeks have solid middles.
Is this a problem?
They seem to cook OK.

The mistake was to get leek modules from a company which supplies farmers.
They were ready to eat in July - and that is when I am normally planting
out the ones I have grown from seed.
The main value of leeks as food is to get something which can be
harvested fresh from October to April.
These are distressingly early!

Sounds like the flower stalk growing up through the leek. In my
experience this means they have been stressed by being too dry or too
wet or simply left too long. The flower stalk can have a bitter taste
and eventually it will become very big in relation to the rest of the
leek. I find it best to cut out the stalk and discard it... but like I
say, at the stage the leeks are past their best.

--
David in Normandy.