But don’t pitch the rest! The entire fennel plant is not only edible but delicious. Each part of the fennel plant has a different texture and use: the bulb, the long stalks that make up the length of the plant and the fringe of fronds at the top all have their place in the kitchen.
What can you do with the top of fennel?
You can mix chopped fennel fronds into pestos, salsas, stocks, curries, and vinaigrettes for an added hit of freshness. You can use them to top yogurt dips, eggs, stir-fries, toasts, and seared meats. And they’re delicious when tossed into green salads or strewn on top of roasted vegetables.
What part of the fennel do you use?
What part of fennel do you eat? Most recipes call for fennel bulbs, but fennel is often sold with its stalks and fronds (the green, wispy things on the stalks) intact. You can save the fronds to use as garnish for dishes, and the stalks can be used like celery in soups and stocks.
Can you cook the stalks of fennel?
Every part of it is edible, from the bulb to the flowers, and it can be eaten raw or cooked. Though the stalks and leaves are edible, fennel recipes most often call for the bulb. When raw, it has a crisp texture similar to celery and a fresh licorice flavor.
How do you use all parts of fennel?
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.
What part of fennel is used for tea?
seeds
Use the seeds from the fennel plant to make tea. The yellowish seeds make a better option for making tea than the greener variety. Slightly crush the seeds to release the oil. Add 1 teaspoon of seeds to 1 cup of hot water and steep for approximately five to 10 minutes.
What does fennel do for the body?
Fennel contains beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body) and vitamin C, which is important for collagen production and tissue repair. Both these nutrients play an important role in maintaining the health of the skin, as well as the mucous membranes that protect organs like the respiratory tract.
How do you use fennel stalks?
A condensed list of ideas for fennel stalks and fronds
- Brew fennel tea.
- Add to broth.
- Whir up some pesto.
- Use the stalks in the same way as scallions.
- Use the stalks in the same way as the bulb.
- Use the stalks in place celery in almost anything.
- Use the fronds like a garnish.
- Ferment the stalks in sauerkraut or pickles.
Can you juice the whole fennel?
Many people are surprised to hear I juice fennel. While I love cooking with fennel in soups and stews, shaved raw salads, and as a standalone vegetable, juicing highlights it lightly licorice flavor. Instead of discarding the top stalks and fronds that you don’t cook with them, use them for juicing.
Can you roast the top of fennel?
Welcome to the surprise that is roasted fennel! Baking it in a hot oven makes it sweet and caramelized: nothing like its raw flavor. If you haven’t tried the taste treat that is roasted fennel, stop right now and make yourself a pan!
Can you use fennel stalks in soup?
Fennel stalks can take the place of celery in soups and stews, and can be used as a “bed” for roasted chicken and meats. Use fennel fronds as a garnish, or chop them and use as you would other herbs, like dill or parsley.
Can you use fennel stalks and fronds?
The stalks also freeze well in plastic bags for later use. You can use the mildly anise-flavored fronds as you would a fresh herb in several ways: In salads, especially if the salad contains fennel. Tucked in the cavity of roasted chicken or whole fish, alone or with other aromatics.
Can you eat fennel stems?
They don’t hold up well to long cooking, but are best used fresh. The stalks also have that signature mild licorice flavor, but are much tougher. To use them raw, I like to chop them very finely to break apart their tough fibers. They also do well if cooked.
Does fennel tea make you poop?
It can relieve constipation
Fennel tea relaxes your digestive muscles, which might be just what you need if you’re struggling with regular bowel movements. Drinking some fennel tea will help cleanse your body and move toxins through your system.
What parts of fennel are edible?
But don’t pitch the rest! The entire fennel plant is not only edible but delicious. Each part of the fennel plant has a different texture and use: the bulb, the long stalks that make up the length of the plant and the fringe of fronds at the top all have their place in the kitchen.
How do you use fennel for weight loss?
Fennel tea
Take one teaspoon of fennel seeds and add them in hot water. Make sure you do not boil them as boiling may kill most of its nutrients. Cover and let it rest for about 10 minutes and then drink it three times a day. Enjoy the goodness of fennel seeds and lose weight in a healthy way.
Does fennel raise blood pressure?
Dietary nitrates in fennel and other foods have vasodilatory and vasoprotective properties. Because of this, they can help lower blood pressure and protect the heart. A 2018 study found that blood pressure levels were lower after taking nitrate supplements.
Is fennel better raw or cooked?
Raw, it’s got wonderful crunch and a cool flavor laced with anise. But when it’s braised, roasted, fried, baked, or grilled, fennel reveals its other side: It gets soft—even silky—and its licorice flavor melts away to just a hint of its raw self.
Can eating too much fennel seed be harmful?
Excessive consumption of fennels results in premature Thelarche, a condition that marks the development of breasts at the beginning of puberty.
How do you store fennel stalks?
To store fennel, trim the fronds to two or three inches above the bulb (if not already done). Wrap loosely in a plastic bag and store in the fridge for 5 days or 10 days if you’re getting fennel direct from the garden or farmer.
Can I freeze fennel stalks?
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.
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.