Cleaning Leeks

My friend Margo Seltzer once taught me a trick for cleaning leeks; here’s my variation as it’s evolved over the years:

1. Rinse the leeks under running water to get rid of any large clumps of dirt.


2. Cut off the green part just above where it starts to fan out from the body the leek.


3. Cut the body of the leek in half lengthwise, starting about 1/2 inch from the root; do not cut through the root.


4. Rotate the leek 1/4 turn and make another lengthwise cut; the leek should now be cut into quarters, but still joined at the root.


5. Fan out the "leaves" of the leek and wash well under running water.


6. Cut off the root.