Bulb fennel is perhaps a slightly misleading name, as the ‘bulb’ is in fact the swollen stem base of the plant.
Where is the fennel bulb?
Fennel is a member of the carrot family, though it’s not a root vegetable. The base of its long stalks weave together to form a thick, crisp bulb that grows above ground. Above the bulb, at the tip of the stalks, it has light, feathery leaves that resemble dill.
How do you pick a fennel bulb?
How to choose: Look for fennel with fresh-looking greens on long branches. (As the fennel sits, the greens wilt and grocery managers trim them.) The bulbs should be bright white with no discolorations or soft spots. How to store: Keep fennel in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed plastic bag.
Do all fennel plants have bulbs?
There are two types of fennel
However, there are two distinct types of fennel: bulb producing fennel and leaf producing fennel. Knowing the types of fennel and which varieties produce bulbs vs leaves will save you confusion later on.
When should I pull up my fennel bulb?
Fennel is ready to harvest after approximately 90 days. Fennel leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant is well established. Only take a few leaves at a time to not cause harm to the plant. The bulb is ready for harvest once it reaches the size of a tennis ball.
What does a fennel bulb look like?
With its wispy fronds and bulbous base, fennel looks like a feather-topped, potbellied cousin to celery. But its flavor is remarkably different. The white bulb and bright green fronds have a gentle, slightly sweet anise flavor. The stalks are tough, so they’re not usually eaten.
Which part of fennel do you use?
Most recipes that call for fennel are referring to the bulb, the swollen bottom end of the plant. The fennel bulb is enjoyed raw, where its anise flavor is most pronounced, and cooked for a sweeter, mellower version of itself. But don’t pitch the rest! The entire fennel plant is not only edible but delicious.
Do you peel fennel bulb?
Remove the root end, and slice the bulb into quarters. Remove the core from each quarter with your knife. Peel apart the layers, and slice into your desired shape and size.
What can you do with the top of fennel?
You can mix chopped fennel fronds into pestos, salsas, stocks, curries, and vinaigrettes for an added hit of freshness. You can use them to top yogurt dips, eggs, stir-fries, toasts, and seared meats. And they’re delicious when tossed into green salads or strewn on top of roasted vegetables.
Is it OK to drink fennel tea everyday?
There is no recommended daily limit established for how much fennel tea is safe to drink. Since fennel tea affects digestion, start with one cup at a time and see how your body reacts to drinking it.
Should you let fennel flower?
Fennel dies down naturally in autumn, then re-sprouts from the base in spring. If you leave the seeds to scatter, fennel will usually self-seed readily. So remove the seedheads or faded flowers if you don’t want more plants.
Should I cut flowers off fennel?
Common F. vulgare blooms near the end of its growing season. If you don’t want it to drop seeds, you can cut the flowers off and remove them before they begin to fade. In addition to its value as an edible, it provides an attractive, texturally-rich backdrop in the garden, particularly when it’s a bronze variety.
How do you harvest fennel without killing the plant?
Storing and Harvesting Fennel
You can harvest the fronds once the plant is established, clip off the top portion to encourage growth. Pick off seeds once flowers have withered and gone brown. Harvest the bulb once the plant has matured.
How do you harvest fennel so it keeps growing?
To harvest fennel, cut off the bulb about 2 to 3 inches below the soil surface with a sharp knife or garden shears. Alternatively, pull up the entire plant and then trim off the roots.
Is fennel an annual or perennial?
Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a short-lived perennial with some types hardy in zones 4-9 but is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. Native to southern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea, this plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) has sweetly aromatic foliage and flavor similar to anise.
Will fennel survive winter?
Frost tolerant
A short-lived hardy perennial, fennel will survive winter temperatures to 0F/-17C.
What can you use instead of fennel bulb?
Best fennel substitute
- Celery (raw in salads) A good fennel substitute when it’s used raw?
- Yellow or white onion (fennel bulb that’s cooked) The best fennel substitute for cooked dishes like soups and stews?
- Leek (fennel bulb that’s cooked)
- Caraway seeds (fennel seed)
- Anise seeds (fennel seed)
How do you cut a fennel bulb for a salad?
Instructions
- Trim off the fennel stalks.
- Cut the bulb in half.
- Cut the halves into quarters.
- Peel off any wilted outer layers.
- Slice the fennel crosswise.
- Shave the fennel (optional).
- Use or store the fennel: Fennel is ready to be used right away.
How do you use fennel bulb?
To slice the bulb, stand it on the root end and cut vertically with a sharp knife of mandolin. To soften the flavor of the fennel bulb, try braising, sautéing, roasting, or grilling it. Fennel stalks can take the place of celery in soups and stews, and can be used as a “bed” for roasted chicken and meats.
Can you eat raw fennel seeds?
Yes. Eating fennel seeds has many benefits for your health. For example, it helps improve digestion, purifies the blood, regulates blood pressure, improves eyesight, treats IBS and constipation, reduces cancer risk, suppresses appetite etc.
What does fennel do for the body?
Fennel contains beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body) and vitamin C, which is important for collagen production and tissue repair. Both these nutrients play an important role in maintaining the health of the skin, as well as the mucous membranes that protect organs like the respiratory tract.