Vegetable
Blue Solaise
A tier
Blue Solaise is a French heirloom leek with striking blue-violet leaf tint in cold weather and sturdy shanks for winter—beautiful in the garden and solid in the pot. Flavour is full mild allium; plants are hardy and historically open-pollinated. The blue cast is ornamental as well as a cold-season cue. Use through winter soups and braises. Blanch shanks by earthing for longer white portions. Seed-to-seed saving possible for gardeners maintaining heirlooms.
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History
Blue-leaved winter leeks around Solaise and French potagers were selected and named.
Bleu de Solaise / Blue Solaise entered wider seed exchange as a winter heirloom.
American seed savers popularised Blue Solaise for colour and hardiness.
Blue Solaise remained a flagship heirloom leek in catalogues.