Contributed by Angela Cleveland

This week, we are tantalized with fennel. But what exactly is this strange looking vegetable? I will not claim to be an expert on fennel bulbs – this week will be my first experience with them. In order to prepare myself for this tasty treat, I did a little research. Here’s what I found out:

What is fennel?

Fennel was originally grown in Europe, but is now cultivated in North America, Asia, and Egypt. This licorice-flavoured plant is a member of the Celery and Parsley family and can grow up to 6 feet tall with feathery leaves, long stalks, and a large umbrella-like cluster of tiny yellow flowers. The tiny seeds and feathery leaves of the plant are used in cooking to add flavour to a variety of dishes. The fennel bulb is actually a long carrot-shaped root that can be used as a flavourful alternative to celery or onion recipes. The bulbs can be roasted, steamed, or eaten raw.

What is fennel good for other than flavouring?

Fennel has been known to aid in indigestion, heartburn, and colic. It is also know to possess diuretic, pain-reducing, fever-reducing, and antimicrobial actions. Other claims state that fennel is good for obesity, curbs the appetite, aids in cleaning the lungs of phlegm, and can be prepared into an effective eyewash. The FDA approved fennel as a safe herb, but due to its estrogenic effect, pregnant women should not ingest it for medicinal purposes. Fennel is low in calories, high in vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, and iron.

What do we do with it?

To prepare the fennel bulb, remove the outer layers and chop off the top. Split the bulb lengthwise and remove the thick inner core at the bottom of the vegetable. This portion can be added to soups and stews. The rest of the bulb can be chopped and sauteed or simmered.

The following recipes are listed on the Urban Harvest Website:

Roasted Apples, Onions, and Fennel (in the "Vegetable Side Dishes" section of the Recipe Archive)

Shaved Fennel & Apple Salad (in the "Salads & Dressings" section of our Recipe Archive)

Ingredients

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Instructions

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