I love the appearance of fennel.  They just look so special.  Did you know that fennel is closely related to carrots, dill, coriander, and parsley?   You can eat the bulb, stalk, and the leaves of fennel.

Ideas for preparation:

Bulbs:

  • Sautee your fennel with onions (or with garlic)
  • Braise your fennel
  • Add slices of fennel to your sanwich, along with your lettuce and tomato.
  • Bake it
  • Grill it
  • Cream it
  • Cook it with butter, and dust with Parmesan cheese
  • Add to soups
  • Stir-fry
  • Add it to your fish
  • Add the green tops to pasta
  • Bread it, and fry
  • Eat it raw dipped in olive oil ( Also, try slicing thinly, drizzling with olive oil, and topping with shaved Parmesan cheese)
  • Roast it with garlic and tomatoes, then toss with pasta
  • Grill it

 Stalks:

  • Use in your food as a flavoring
  • Use in vegetable stocks
  • Use as a rack to roast fish

Leaves:

  • Use to garnish
  • Add to salads
  • Add to sautees
  • Add to sauces

Have fun as you eat this wonderful vegetable that Italians are crazy about!