Kurrath

Kurrath (table leeks), with crisp tender leaves, is a variety in which the interest is in the green leaves rather than the white bulbous root. It is more like garlic chives. This variety of leeks was known to the ancient Mesopotamians. They called it ‘karasu.’ In medieval times, it was known as kurrath Nabati (Nabatean leek) because it was indigenous to Iraq, to differentiate it from kurrath Shami (Levantine leek), which was grown for the bulbous white roots rather than the leaves.

Kurrath is eaten raw as a salad herb. It has a hot sharp taste, almost similar to onion and garlic combined.