Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month takes place in March every year. This month-long celebration highlights the versatility of exotic winter fruits and these particular vegetables, including their history in food culture and the ways you can serve them. Make no mistake — this holiday is not just for chefs and culinary professionals. From foodies to amateur cooks, it’s a time of year to learn how to incorporate these bountiful harvests into your daily meals. From exotic winter fruits like blood oranges and passion fruit to the fragrant stalks of leeks and green onions, you’ll never run out of food ideas this month.
History of Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month
Although the origin of exotic winter fruits is wide-ranging, their popularity all over the world has existed for centuries. Grapefruit, passion fruit, rambutan, and blackcurrant are a staple part of the Asiatic diet and are widely cultivated and consumed in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Not only are these fruits known for their sweet taste, but they’re also prominent for their antioxidants.
Although juice production began as far back as the 16th century in Italy, the food market today incorporates exotic fruit into its juices, which only increased the demand for the actual fruit. In 1987, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Kenya, Peru, and South Africa were listed as some of the major producers of these exotic winter fruits. Passion fruit, in particular, reached a commercial peak and is one of the most exported fruits in the U.K., U.S., German, Switzerland, Japan, and France.
Leeks and green onions date back at least 5,000 years in the Mediterranean but before they were even popular culinary ingredients, they were first known as medicinal supplements for curing many illnesses. In ancient times, for example, Hippocrates used to prescribe leeks as a cure for nosebleeds while Saint David of Wales associated leeks as a power food that improved blood pressure, cured colds, and healed wounds.
These vegetables quickly rose to prominence as people discovered how versatile they were. For instance, raw leeks and green onions can either be fried, boiled, or eaten raw in a salad. In Asia, they’re staple ingredients in cooking a sumptuous stir fry, western countries also introduced leek and onion soup, and Spain’s Catalan festival features grilled green onions called ‘calcatoda.’
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month timeline
Leeks and green onions are discovered in the Mediterranean.
Hippocrates prescribes leeks to cure nosebleeds.
Saint David of Wales associates leeks as a power food that cures colds and wounds.
Exotic winter fruits in Asia and South America are exported to the U.S. and Europe.
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month FAQs
Does a leek taste like an onion?
Leeks aren’t as pungent as onions. They have a sweet and delicate flavor with a hint of mild onion.
What’s the difference between a chive and an onion?
Visually, chive stems are longer and skinnier, while onion stems are thicker.
What does passion fruit taste like?
Passion fruit has a sweet and tart taste that is commonly described as a combination of kiwi and pineapple.
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month Activities
Cook a leek and green onion soup
Prepare a hearty and creamy leek and green onion soup. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon or a light dinner with your family at home.
Give exotic winter fruits a try
There’s a long list of exotic winter fruits that you may not have tried yet. If you’re up for it, now’s the time to investigate some new flavors and liven up your palate with these sweet, tangy, and delicious fruits.
Make a Leek and exotic fruit salad
Combine the best of both worlds and have a bright and fresh leek and exotic fruit salad. Grab an exotic winter fruit of your choice: from persimmons, and passion fruit, to blood oranges. They’re so versatile, you’d be surprised how delicious the combinations of any of these with leeks are.
5 Fun Facts About Green Onions, Leeks, And Exotic Winter Fruit
Immature green onions
Scallions are also known as immature green onions.
Leeks are packed with vitamins
Leeks contain vitamins A, K, and B-6, folate, calcium, iron, and manganese.
Buddha’s hand
Buddha’s hand is an exotic winter fruit in Southeast Asia that can grow up to 12 inches long.
Passion fruit is good for your diet
Passion fruit only contains 17 calories.
The blood orange is a mutated fruit
The blood orange is a mutation between tangelo and pomelo.
Why We Love Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month
They’re a great vegan option
If you’re a vegan or a vegetarian, this is a month you can look forward to. Explore and experiment with endless exotic winter fruits, leeks, and green onions recipes.
We love trying something new
Some exotic winter fruits are so rare that they’re not even available on the market. This month gives us a chance to hunt for them or at least try fruits that you wouldn’t normally buy.
They’re healthy
Green onions and leeks give parents the chance to incorporate vegetables into their children’s diets. From leek pancakes to green onion frittata, it’s time to explore the many healthy servings you can create with this power food.
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | March 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | March 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | March 1 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | March 1 | Thursday |
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