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Garden Gate:  Fennel  |
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Thistlewoodmanor
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Deb
Geneva
IA
USA
51 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 09 2006 : 5:35:48 PM
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I have some beautiful fennel plants growing in my herb garden, but I'm not sure how to use them. Do I use the leaves? Seeds? Or do I have to dig them up and use the bulb?
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~annavon431/ |
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2006 : 6:12:53 PM
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The tag on the fennel I bought this year says you can use the leaves and seeds to flavor stuff and the root to cook and eat like a vegetable. I've cooked with the root buying it at the store but the leaves and seeds will be a new experience for me.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority." -E. B. White
http://www.betweenthecities.com/blog/ljr/
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2006 : 6:16:07 PM
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I have used the seeds to make fennel seed tea when my daughter had colic years ago, worked like a charm. I have used the seeds in recipes also.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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cmandle
True Blue Farmgirl
846 Posts
Catherine
Minneapolis
MN
846 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2006 : 7:08:21 PM
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I tried to grow fennel in my garden last year, but our resident wild rabbit got to it first. Ignored all of the other herbs and vegetables around it and just *neatly* dug up the fennel...devoured it. No trace. The day after I planted it. Ah well...
I do adore fennel though and buy it from the Co-op almost weekly. I use the root either cooked or raw (see the "summer cooking" thread for a great fennel recipe!). I tend to throw some of the stalk into my cooking too, since it looks and smells just like the root end. I haven't used the feathery leaves though.
Have fun eating your fennel, Deb!
Catherine |
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julia hayes
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
julia
medical lake
wa
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2006 : 06:40:00 AM
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Hi all. I love fennel and use it all the time..the entire thing.. I use the root like everyone else..cooked veggie..has a licorice kind of flavor and I love the feathery leaves too. My favorite is to mix them with boiled potatoes, which right now are coming into new potato season. Yum! I do a summer veggie medley too with squash, tomato, carrots, fennel bulb stir fried in a cast iron skillet with a little olive oil salt and pepper... I season with the fennel leaves.. delicious! You can serve it plain or with rice.. really, go to town and try it with all your favorite things for a little boost..It is such a gorgeous plant!
Julia Hayes
being simple to simply be |
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Thistlewoodmanor
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Deb
Geneva
IA
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2006 : 09:53:05 AM
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| thanks, sounds yummy! I planted this fennel last year and it didn't do much; but came back with a vengence! I hope to have an even bigger patch next year; I love how it smells. |
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2006 : 11:30:17 AM
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So the fennel spreads pretty quickly? I hope so. I just got one little plant that I'm putting in a border in front of our house. I was inspired by another thread to make the front garden be a little cottagey and include some edibles in it.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority." -E. B. White
http://www.betweenthecities.com/blog/ljr/
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Garden Gate: Fennel |
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Fennel
