Fennel Bulb

Overview

Fennel is a vegetable that is tough to put in a box. It is somewhat like celery, in that it has a layered configuration of pale green fibrous stalks. It is somewhat like dill, in that it is topped with feathery green leaves. With its unique sweet, licorice-y, anise-y flavor, you might look at this plant and go, “Huh?”

Despite its infrequency in standard American cuisine, fennel is well known in European cuisines, particularly Italian. Both the vegetable and the seeds it bears are commonly used in stews, sauces, broths, and sausages. Fennel pairs well with tomato, fish, and pork, and adds a mellow sweetness to a dish.

Like cilantro, fennel tends to be a food that’s either loved or hated. For the haters out there, please note that fennel’s flavor is much more assertive when raw. Therefore, try roasting or sautéing it, and then reassess your hate.

Identification

To describe a fennel bulb, start with the mental image of a bunch of celery. Make the base a bit more pale and bulbous, and the ends a bit darker and more tapered. Finish the stalks with feathery, dill-like leaves.

The entire plant is edible, and all parts have a flavor that is a cross between celery, anise, and licorice. The pale parts of the plant (near the bulb) tend to be milder flavored and the top parts (the darker green stalks and leaves) tend to be stronger flavored.

Generally, it is the base of the plant that is preferred for culinary preparations because of its delicate flavor and less coarse texture. In texture, fennel is very similar to celery, complete with its satisfying watery crunch and stringy fibers.

When cooked, the flavor of fennel softens greatly, as does its texture, making it less polarizing for discriminating palates.

Nutrition Info

One cup of sliced, raw fennel (about 87g) has 27 calories, 1.1g protein, 0.2g of fat, 6.4g of carbohydrates, 2.7g fiber, and 3.4g sugar. Raw fennel is a good source of vitamin C.

Selection

Fennel is available at most larger grocery stores and fruit and vegetable markets.

When selecting fennel, look for bulbs that are smallish, as these will usually be younger and more tender. Find bulbs that are heavy for their size, with straight, firm stalks that don’t splay out too much. The stalks and the leaves should look fresh and green, without signs of wilting, splitting, bruising, or yellowing. Good fennel should smell fragrant and sweet.

Storage

Store fennel in the crisper drawer of the fridge for three to four days.

Fennel can also be blanched and then frozen for up to six months, although it will lose much of its flavor using this method.

Preparation

Fennel may be eaten raw or cooked. To get a “truer” fennel flavor experience, we suggest trying it raw (at least once).

If the flavor is too strong for you raw, then trying sautéing it with some garlic and olive oil, or roasting it under high heat in the oven until it caramelizes.

To eat fennel raw, give it a wash, and then trim the tough top ends and the butt near the base. Cut out a cone-shaped segment from the bottom. This is the core of the vegetable, and it is rather tough to eat raw. Remove any tough or damaged outer stalks. Then, slice the fennel crosswise in very thin slices (a mandolin works well for this). Most people prefer fennel mixed with other ingredients and topped with a simple balsamic vinaigrette. Fennel and peeled grapefruit segments make a nice combo, as do fennel with ripe tomatoes and fresh mint leaves.

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