Arkóprasson, skourántha - wild leek

«Αρκόπρασον ή σκουράθθα (αγριόπρασο)» <br/> Πηγή: Καντζηλάρης 2007, 268

«Αρκόπρασον ή σκουράθθα (αγριόπρασο)» Πηγή: Καντζηλάρης 2007, 268

«Αρκόπρασον ή σκουράθθα (αγριόπρασο)» <br/> Πηγή: Καντζηλάρης 2007, 268

Wild leek is cooked whole, including its bulb. It can be consumed boiled with oil and lemon or added to legumes. It is added to many dishes when fried. It is also served fresh with olives or cheese.

Name - Origin
Cypriot name of food
Aρκόπρασον, σκουράθθα, αγριοκρόμμυον. Arkóprasson or skourántha or agriokrómmion.
Greek name - description

Aγριόπρασο (αγριόσκορδο) (Κantzilaris 2007, 262).

Language remarks

Scientific name: Allium ampeloprasum (Kantzilaris 2007, 262)

Processing method

Wild leek is cooked whole, including its bulb. It is added to many dishes when fried. It can be consumed boiled with oil and lemon or added to legumes. It is also served fresh with olives or cheese. It combines very well fried with other wild greens and eggs. It is collected from January to April (Kantzilaris 2007, 262-263).

Nutritional Value and Importance in the Diet of Cypriots

It contains vitamin E, calcium, potassium, iodine. (Kantzilaris 2007, 262-263).

Time period
19th to 20th c.
Supplementary Information

It is diuretic and recommended for kidney diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, urinary retention. In Mahairas's medicinal book it is mentioned as an effective remedy against muasilis (haemorrhoids): "Cut a few roots of wild leeks. Boil them with vinegar, put them in a trough and while warm, place your rear on them until they cool down and repeat the process the following night by heating them up first, repeating this process many times cures the exochades (haemorrhoids)” (Kantzilaris 2007, 262-263).

Bibliography

Kanzilaris G. (2007), Το Καϊμακλί μέσα από το πέρασμα του χρόνου, publication of the New COOP of Kaimakli, Nicosia.

Researcher/Recorder

Eleni Christou, Argyro Xenophontos