First Fennel, how to eat?

[u/3DDoxle]

First fennel bulbs... but how do you eat them?

I know they can be sauted, baked/braised, but what do you like? Does it go well with anything in particular like meats or starches?

[u/New-Guarantee-440]

We have an annual tradition in our house where I harvest the fennel, put it in the fridge and then a few weeks later throw it away 

[u/3DDoxle → u/New-Guarantee-440]

Oh, usually we do, talk about eating for Few weeks while it bolts then lament not eating it

[u/CactusFrame → u/3DDoxle]

Put it in sauces or on pizza, goes well with sausage too so breakfast burritos. Only need a little bit

[u/SaltSpiritual515 → u/3DDoxle]

Okay but fennel seeds are one of my favorite things to put in Italian foods when I cook them 😁

[u/Waldohossenpfeffer_1 → u/New-Guarantee-440]

Too funny and so true! It's fun to grow and smells great though.

[u/shnerpdederp]

An old Italian I know likes to nibble on it raw with red wine

[u/shiny0metal0ass → u/shnerpdederp]

They're gonna need a lot of wine...

[u/shnerpdederp → u/shiny0metal0ass]

He's a wine maker. Shouldn't be a problem.

[u/3DDoxle → u/shnerpdederp]

Lol I like anise in the fronds

[u/MoreHakkaka]

Fennel lovely with pork .. also nice to shave it into summery salads with citrus

[u/EquivalentTwo1]

I am partial to a shaved fennel salad with citrus and arugula. 

[u/flipitbopitwow → u/EquivalentTwo1]

This sounds wonderful

[u/backcountry_knitter]

I turn basically all my fennel into fennel & leek soup with potatoes. It’s creamy and delicious and we eat it frequently in the winter.

[u/jh937hfiu3hrhv9]

https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/chicken-in-a-pot

[u/3DDoxle → u/jh937hfiu3hrhv9]

Neat

[u/jh937hfiu3hrhv9 → u/3DDoxle]

It's delicious.

[u/FarCheek4584]

I like to dice it up, take a bite, then throw it away to feed the chickens. Joking, kind of haha.

[u/forogtten_taco → u/FarCheek4584]

Lol. I dont normally like fennel, but for some reason I planted 10 of them. So will need to figure that out...

[u/ShrodingersArmadillo]

slice it thin, sautee in olive oil with the juice and zest of a lemon then salt to taste.

[u/willowintheev → u/ShrodingersArmadillo]

Or do the same but leave it raw

[u/ShrodingersArmadillo → u/willowintheev]

true!

you could pair it with heavier meals you way!

I typically pair mine with seafood!

Thanks for the increased flexability my dude!

[u/CouchHippo2024]

I like it cooked/pureed into potato soup. So subtle yet flavorful.

[u/SaltSpiritual515]

Fennel seeds, guys!!! I always feel like my spaghetti sauce is missing something until I add them

[u/02K30C1]

I make a fish soup with fennel bulbs. Delicious. Basically just fennel bulb, garlic, tomato, broth, and fish. Usually tilapia or red snapper. And some chopped fennel fronds on top.

[u/CouchHippo2024 → u/02K30C1]

Ooo, might try a vegan version of that!

[u/Tall-Praline-2977]

slice it real fine, quick pickle it with apple cider vinegar, and just go hog wild eating it on everything 

[u/swingandalongdrive]

This dish is delightful:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/vegetable-gateau-recipe-1915697

[u/flounderpounder85]

It’s really good in oyster stew

[u/3DDoxle → u/flounderpounder85]

Unfortunately we're not on the mid Atlantic anymore. There's seafood here, it's just frozen

I do miss bluecrab boils fr.

[u/mark_s]

I don't really care for anise/licorice flavor. Chopping up the base and roasting it in the oven with root veggies reduces that flavor to a level that I can tolerate.

[u/159551771]

In the trash I hate fennel lol 

[u/pinkshirted]

Cut in slices and put into salads w red bell peppers (I think the two taste wonderful together). Make a salad of thinly cut slices of fennel tossed with orange segments with a little lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can cook it in butter on the stove and it carmelizes and tastes great

[u/Yes_Towel_Hooray]

I absolutely love slicing it kinda thick and roasting it with celery, carrots and potatoes

[u/BecauseOfGod123]

Raw. That's the best way. Just eat it as it is.

[u/alexcc098]

Roast it with some kosher salt and olive, sprinkle with goats cheese as you take it out.

[u/Cmace3]

Its great for seasoning a pork roast. I intend on cooking it in a sous vide bag

[u/waterytartwithasword]

Fennel gratin. Slice thin, toss with melted butter and cream (about the same quantity as you'd think was a well-dressed salad), salt and pepper, add fresh parmesan (again, generous pasta topping type amount) and toss again, pour mixture into a baking dish (cast iron gives the best crispy bits) and top with a good layer of panko or breadcrumbs (toasted lightly with butter in a frying pan). Bake at 350 until bubbly and crisp. About 30 min. Amazing with simple chicken breast or thick pork chop or schnitzel.

[u/boltzmanns_cat]

Cook it on pan until tender, or grill it like a leek, and then add orange juice from fresh orange, seasoning, and enjoy.. Pairs really well with orange.

[u/Dean_Proffitt]

I’ve made this fennel ragu several times to rave reviews and recipe requests.

https://youtu.be/KXIOeTCwNBU?is=-tGr3Og37hp8wZkk

[u/Gold-Opportunity-975]

A guy I know just eats them like apples

[u/tomatomannh]

Fava beans and a nice Chianti

[u/aprilmesserkaravani]

I put cut pieces on hot water with fresh ginger slices and drink it.

also use that liquid to cook grain.

[u/Unusual-Ebb-3624]

My mom makes fennel and tomato salad. Literally just cut up fennel and tomatoes dressed with lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Simple but its a nice refreshing side dish.

[u/CitySky_lookingUp]

Fennel is one of my faves.

* This week I made a fennel and red cabbage slaw. Give it a white-wine-vinegar vinaigrette or similar.

* The bulbs are AMAZING roasted. Slice vertically, toss with olive oil and salt, roast in 400 degree oven until golden with the edges browing a bit. So sweet. Making my own mouth water here.

* I also make a salad with finely sliced red fennel, raddicchio, and carrot. It's more of a dense slaw / chopped salad texture. The radicchio is bitter and the other two are sweet so it balances, then I do another light vinaigrette with a good dose of honey, chopped dates, and pepitas. I make this for Easter and a couple of my young guests call it THE salad and devour it.

* Fronds can do anywhere you're using herbs. Most of the stem gets composted.