Fennel Botanical Name: Foeniculum vulgare (Umbelliferae)
General Description/History: - Related to parsley, carrots and dill - Resembles celery, succulent, bulbous rootstalk - Stems are round, shiny, dark blue/green - Sunshine are fine, feathery and lime/dark green - Delicate aniseed flavour and aroma. Choose fresh glossy stalks with fresh leaves and a firm plump bulb. Use leaves chopped and sprinkled over salads, soups or as a stuffing for fish. Add young stems to salad. Slice or grate raw into salads or sandwiches. Steam or bake the bulb as a root vegetable. Fennel is a tall plant reaching up to 2m in height. Fennel grows in well drained nutritious soils with full sun. Fennel is one of the oldest cultivated plants. In the age of banquets, Roman warriors took fennel to keep in good health, while Roman ladies ate it to prevent obesity. Every part of the plant, from the seed to the root is edible. Fennel was one of the nine herbs held sacred by the Anglo Saxons for its power against evil. Medicinally, fennel is used to aid digestion and relieve constipation. Recent research indicates fennel reduces the toxic effects of alcohol on the body.
Varieties: Please click pictures to see seasonality
Baby Fennel
Growing Areas: QLD - Fassifern Valley, Lockyer Valley, Stanthorpe, Sunshine Coast VIC - Werribee SA - Adelaide Plains WA - Perth Metropolitan Outer Areas
Nutritional Value: A good source of vitamin C and a moderate source of iron. 80kJ/100g.
Storage/Handling: 0°C and 90 -100% relative humidity. Consumer Storage: Store in an airtight plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper and use as soon as possible.
Recipes:
Fennel al Gratin	Lettuce Parcels
Interesting Facts and Myths? Fennel is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean area. The name fennel originates from the Greek word for "marathon” which is the famous battle at Marathon in 490 B.C. where the Greeks fought against the Persians on a field of fennel. Fennel was said to be eaten by serpents to improve their eyesight, making it easier for them to attack their victims. Flies are said to dislike fennel, and powdered fennel has been used to keep flies away in kennels and stables.