Try Something New: Fennel

2022 Fennel Harvest

Crew member Amirah harvesting in the ‘fennel forest’

When it comes to fennel, it's usually love/hate. If you love it, don't worry, we have plenty over the next several weeks! If you hate it, let's try to win you over: I find that the best way to prepare fennel if you're not a fan of the anise/licorice flavor is to get some caramelization going, either in a pan or in the oven. I've divided the following recipes into ones I think are good for the fennel-fans and the fennel-shy.

For the fennel fans
1) Crunchy pickle salad > pickles and fennel complement in this unexpected salad
2) Steak sandwich with Fennel Slaw > the slaw can go on other things too! Or another version of it, with kohlrabi too!
3) Roast pork with fennel-apple salad > this salad, too, would work with kohlrabi
4) Chickpea pancakes with kale and fennel > a nice vegetarian main dish!

For the fennel-shy
1) Crunchy gochujang fennel > the dressing will overpower a lot of the flavor
2) Fennel, Chard, and White Bean Gratin > the fennel mellows into the dish. Perfect for beginners!
3) Warm grain salad with fennel > the caramelization treatment! Infinite variations possible on this salad.
4) Labneh dip with caramelized fennel and onion 
5) Roast chicken with fennel > a true classic, this is just one recipe and you can execute this idea multiple ways.