First things first: select small to medium-sized white fennel bulbs that are heavy and firm with bright green feathery fronds. Avoid bulbs that are really large, have moist spots, or appear shriveled and dried out. If there are brown spots, leave the fennel on the shelf.
How do you buy good fennel?
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.
What should I look for when buying fennel?
How to Select Fennel Bulbs
- look for large, tight bulbs that are white or pale green.
- avoid bulbs that have any signs of splitting, bruising or spotting.
- check the fronds to ensure there are no signs of flower heads – a sign that the fennel has bolted and passed its optimum maturity.
Is fennel sold in grocery stores?
If your grocery store carries fennel bulb, you should find it in the produce aisles, probably near the root vegetables. Check any specialty produce displays, too. Frequently, these are placed right where you enter the produce area. One thing to keep in mind is that fennel bulb may only be available on a seasonal basis.
How can you tell if fennel is fresh?
If you notice brown marks on its white outer layers, you’ll know the fennel bulb’s best days are already behind it. The stalks are edible, too. They should appear a vibrant light green, and with no dry or cut surfaces. The green fronds at the end of its stalks should also be an intense color, without any wilted parts.
Should fennel be refrigerated?
The most ideal and popular method of storing fennel is in the refrigerator. Although refrigerating it may seem like an easy option, if not done properly, fennel can easily become soft and acquire brown spots. What is this? Loosely wrap the fennel in a plastic bag and then place it in the vegetable drawer.
Can you eat fennel raw?
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.
How long does fennel keep in the fridge?
seven to ten days
Store fresh fennel bulbs in the fridge to keep them fresh for seven to ten days. Cut the fennel stalks off the bulb and store them in a plastic bag or an airtight container. 2. Store stalks and fronds in water.
Should you wash fennel?
Wash and clean the fennel bulb and remove the core which is too tough to eat. Slice through the bulb and cut off the core. You should trim off the leaves and stalks, and book them for later use like garnish if you like.
What is fennel good for?
Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects. To reap the benefits of fennel and its seeds, try incorporating raw fennel bulb into your salads or using the seeds to flavor soups, broths, baked goods, and fish dishes.
What can I substitute for fresh fennel?
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)
Can I use fennel seeds instead of fresh fennel?
1. Fennel seeds. If the main purpose of including fresh fennel in your dish is to impart a delicate, licorice flavor, then fennel seeds may make a good substitute.
Is anise the same as fennel?
Particular flavor: Fennel and anise share the black licorice flavor of anethole, but they do have slightly different profiles. Fennel seeds are less sweet than anise, with a milder flavor; anise seeds have a much sweeter, more powerful black licorice flavor.
How do you store fennel in the fridge?
How to Store Fennel
- Refrigerate. Place whole fennel bulbs in an open Glad® Zipper Bag in the refrigerator.
- Cut. Store cut fennel by removing and discarding the stalks. Cut off the woody bottom of the bulb and peel away any wilted or browning layers.
- Store. Seal in a GladWare® food protection container and refrigerate.
How do I add fennel to my diet?
Crush or grind whole fennels seeds just before you add them to your cooking or tea. This helps to release more of the oil and flavor. Add toasted fennel seeds to dishes to give them a sweet, licorice flavor. Make a simple tea by crushing a spoonful of fennel seeds and pouring hot water over them.
What is the taste of fennel?
Fennel has a very mild anise or licorice flavor that can be enhanced or sweetened depending on how it is cooked (or not cooked). When diced and sauteed with onions as one of the first steps when making a soup or stew, fennel becomes very sweet.
Can fresh fennel be frozen?
Long-Term Storage. Fennel stalks and fronds freeze well. Simply rinse them in a cool stream of water, and then place them in freezer-safe bag or container. Due to its high water content, freezing the bulb will change its texture.
Does fennel cause diarrhea?
It can support digestion
If you have an upset stomach, flatulence, or diarrhea, you might want to treat yourself to some fennel tea. The warm water of the tea may calm your digestion, and fennel itself is known to help with digestive issues.
Is fennel bulb a laxative?
Clinically speaking, pharmacologically active substances that help relieve symptoms of constipation by inducing bowel movements are called laxatives. Several studies conclude that fennel is one such natural, yet effective laxative.
Which part of the fennel do you eat?
Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.
How do you keep fennel from turning brown?
Fennel tends to discolour as soon as it’s cut, so dress raw fennel for salads straight away, or toss in a little lemon juice to prevent it browning.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.