by Erin Marissa Russell
Is your garden producing lots of fennel, and now you’re looking for unique ways to cook with it all? Many of us experience this delicious veggie for the first time when we grow fennel in our gardens, so it’s no surprise that it can be a challenge to know just how to cook with it. We’ve got you covered with lots of ideas to get cooking with your homegrown fennel today.
Turn to Italian Cuisine to Show Off Homegrown Fennel
Fennel shares the aromatic properties of celery and onion, with all the velvety, caramelized texture of other alliums. That makes it a perfect fit for pasta dishes, whatever the variety, and other standards of Italian cuisine. Even better, the hint of anise or licorice is just right to pair with Italian sausage.
A Beautiful Plate’s Pasta with Fennel, Kale, and Lemon
BBC’s Fennel and Lemon Risotto
Bev Cooks’ Sausage, Fennel, and Asparagus Pizza
Food & Wine’s Bow-Tie Salad with Fennel, Prosciutto, and Parmesan
Italian Food Forever’s Fennel Parmesan
Martha Stewart’s Rigatoni with Sausage and Fennel
Platings and Pairings’ Roasted Fennel Pasta with Ricotta
Saveur’s Spaghetti with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes and Caramelized Fennel
The Guardian’s Caramelized Fennel and Fig Pizza
The New York Times’ Fennel al Forno
Pair Fennel with Meat for a Filling Main Course
Fennel works well with all kinds of meat to create one-of-a-kind main dishes. It’s a classic stuffed next to roast chicken, tucked into baked fish, or simmered along with a pork shoulder. Take a look at these recipes to see how your homegrown fennel can work with whatever meat dish you’re planning to cook tonight.
BBC’s Slow-Roasted Pork with Fennel and Black Pepper
BBC’s Teriyaki Steak with Fennel Slaw
Canadian Living’s Chicken Braised with Lemon, Fennel, and Garlic
Canadian Living’s Salmon en Papillote with Fennel and Roasted Peppers
Coles’ Tray Baked Pork Chops with Fennel, Apple, and Parsnips on Taste.com.au
Jennifer Olvera’s Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Tomatoes, Fennel, and Pasta on Serious Eats
Liz Marci’s Chicken and Fennel Pies on Taste.com.au
Martha Stewart’s Baked Trout with Broccoli, Apple, and Fennel Slaw
The Guardian’s Chicken with Garlic and Fennel
Simmer Fennel in Warm, Comforting Soups
For most of us, soup is one of the ways we’re likely to be familiar with eating fennel (if we were familiar with the veggie at all before we started to grow it). That’s because fennel melts deliciously into broth just like onions, garlic, or celery, making it the perfect addition to your next pot of soup or stew. Check out the recipes in this section to explore the possibilities.
AntoniaJames’ Thyme-Scented Fennel and Leek Soup on Food52
Kay Chun’s Fennel Avgolemono on Food & Wine
Madeline Shaw’s Sweet Potato, Fennel, and Chilli Stew
Saveur’s Caramelized Onion, Fennel, and Mushroom Soup
Put the Spotlight on Fennel in Fresh Salads
Thinly sliced with a mandoline or roasted with a pan of other garden veggies, fresh fennel makes a wonderful addition to a salad, whatever the season. Let your imagination run wild to find exciting flavor pairings that show off your homegrown fennel to the max. Here are some recipes to get you started.
Claire Bookman’s Fennel and Radish Salad on Taste.com.au
Coles’ Apple, Fennel, and Chicken Salad on Taste.com.au
Daniel Gritzer’s Summer Squash Salad with Goat Cheese, Fennel, and Dill on Serious Eats
Elise Bauer’s Fennel Slaw with Mint Vinaigrette on SimplyRecipes
J. Kenji López-Alt’s Winter Greens Salad with Citrus and Creamy Citrus Vinaigrette on Serious Eats
Kerry Saretsky’s Bright Lentil Salad with Apples, Fennel, and Herbs on Serious Eats
Marion Grasby’s Asian Fennel Coleslaw on Taste.com.au
Martin Wishart’s Crunchy Fennel Salad
MaryVelazquez’ Shaved Celery and Fennel Salad on Food52
RealHealthyRecipes’ Fennel, Celery, and Green Apple Slaw
Saveur’s Arugula, Radicchio, and Fennel Salad
Saveur’s Shaved Fennel and Grilled Corn Salad
TheKitchn’s Shaved Fennel, Roasted Tomato, and Pistachio Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing
Create Simple Sides Starring Fennel
Fennel makes a simple side to accompany your favorite main courses because it’s so versatile. Throw it on the grill, tuck it into packets, or layer slices of homegrown fennel in a gratin. You can use this tasty veggie like you would eggplant, potatoes, or onion—or take a look at the recipes below to get some ideas.
All Our Way’s Caramelized Fennel and Onions
BBC’s Barbecued Fennel with Black Olive Dressing
BBC’s Hot Dressed Sweet Potato, Fennel, and Feta Parcels
BBC’s Roasted Fennel with Tomatoes, Olives, and Potatoes
Ben Towill’s Bacon, Fennel, and Apple Chutney on Food & Wine
Bon Appetit’s Endive and Fennel Gratin
Cooking Light’s Warm White Beans with Roasted Fennel on MyRecipes
Elise Bauer’s Roasted Fennel on SimplyRecipes
EmilyC’s Crispy Cream-Braised Potatoes and Fennel on Food52
Fine Cooking’s Fennel Layered with Potatoes and Breadcrumbs
Giada de Laurentiis’ Roasted Fennel with Parmesan on Food Network
Gourmande in the Kitchen’s Tomato Fennel Gratin
J. Kenji López-Alt’s Swiss Chard, Fennel, and White Bean Gratin on Serious Eats
Leite’s Culinaria’s Fennel Baked in Cream
Molly Stevens’ Roasted Fennel with Olives and Garlic on Epicurious
Tasting Table’s Sauteed Fennel with Garlic
Vanilla and Bean’s Roasted Fennel, Mushroom, and White Bean Brown Rice Gratin
If you’re still looking for more ways to prepare fennel, why not think about using the green fennel fronds as well as the white bulb?
Olives for Dinner’s Fresh Mint and Fennel Frond Tea
Whole Food Bellies’ Fragrant Fennel Fronds Pesto
Want to learn more about preparing fennel?
Bon Appétit covers Fennel Recipes
Canadian Living covers 15 Fabulous Fennel Recipes
Fine Cooking covers Fennel Recipes
Fine Cooking covers Fennel Stalks & Fronds
Food and Wine covers Fennel Recipes
Great British Chefs covers Fennel Recipes
HuffPost covers Fennel Recipes
Martha Stewart covers Fennel Recipes
Serious Eats covers Fennel Recipes
The Guardian covers Best Fennel Recipes
The Kitchn covers Top Ways to Use Fennel Stalks and Fronds
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