St. David’s Leek Pie

March 1: Feast Day of St. David

Our oft-mentioned friend, Lisa L., is married to a Welshman, John L. Islander was fortunate to have been the matron of honor at their wedding in Germany. They incorporated interesting German, American and Welsh traditions in their multicultural marriage ceremony. One Welsh custom is that the groom carves a wooden spoon for his bride as a symbol of love. The lovespoon is then displayed in their home. John carved a cute spoon for Lisa and gave it to her on their wedding day. And Lisa presented a special spoon imported from her husband’s homeland to Islander for their longtime friendship. That treasured spoon is now pictured as a prop above with the leek pie we baked for the Feast Day of St. David, the patron saint of Wales.

Recipe

(Adapted from Cooking with the Saints by Ernst Schuegraf)

For the shortcrust pastry

• 2 cups flour
• pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons shortening
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ice water

Directions

In a large bowl, put the flour and salt. Rub in the shortening and butter until the mixture looks like coarse bread crumbs. Pour a little bit of ice water to make a kneadable dough. Roll into a ball and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Divide the dough into two pieces. On a lightly floured surface, flatten each into a disc to line the bottom of the pie pan and cover the top of the pie.

For the filling

• 3 cups leek, cleaned and sliced thinly
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cup milk
• 4 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Prepare the green parts of the leek only. Saute in butter until soft. Fill the bottom of the pie crust.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the milk. Pour over the leeks. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.

Cover with the remaining pie dough. Trim then seal the edges with the tines of a fork. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 40 minutes and the crust turns golden brown. Slice and serve immediately.

Notes

• Learn more about Welsh lovespoons here.
• St. David of Wales is associated with leeks.  It is a Welsh tradition to wear leeks on March 1, his feast day. The leek is one of Wales’ national emblems.