Available on markets in the province of Poitou
While it is very much present in vegetable patches in the Poitou-Charentes, the ‘Jaune gros du Poitou’ leek is not of great interest to professionals as it is only sold by a dozen or so producers.
It’s an early leek variety with a barrel of 4 to 6 centimetres in diameter. Its yellow-green leafage falls down in a characteristic manner. Susceptible to the cold, it is sown at the beginning of the year and harvesting can start in June (1 month before the green leek). However, in the Bas-Poitou and Vendée regions that have milder temperatures, the leek can be sown right up until July and harvested in November.
A very tender vegetable, the ‘Jaune gros du Poitou’ leek needs to be cooked to be eaten. It can be eaten cold with a vinaigrette in salads, or hot, in a tart or as a side dish for fish, crustaceans and shellfish.