Fennel

There are two main types of this aromatic plant, both with pale green, celery like stems and bright green, feathery foliage.

Florence fennel, also called finocchio, is cultivated throughout the Mediterranean and in the United States. It has a broad, bulbous base that's treated like a vegetable. Both the base and stems can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in a variety of methods such as braising, sautéing or in soups. The fragrant, graceful greenery can be used as a garnish or snipped like dill and used for a last−minute flavor enhancer. This type of fennel is often mislabeled "sweet anise," causing those who don't like the flavor of licorice to avoid it. The flavor of fennel, however, is sweeter and more delicate than anise and, when cooked, becomes even lighter and more elusive than in its raw state.

Common fennel is the variety from which the oval, greenish−brown fennel seeds come. The seeds are available whole and ground and are used in both sweet and savory foods, as well as to flavor many liqueurs. As with most seeds, they should be stored in a cool, dark place for no more than 6 months. Though common fennel is bulbless, its stems and greenery are used in the same ways as those of Florence fennel. Fennel is available from fall through spring. Choose clean, crisp bulbs with no sign of browning. Any attached greenery should be a fresh green color. Refrigerate, tightly wrapped in a plastic bag, up to 5 days. Fennel is rich in vitamin A and contains a fair amount of calcium, phosphorus and potassium.

Fennel, pear & parmesan salad

·         2 baby fennel, trimmed, fronds reserved

·          2 firm-but-ripe green-skinned pears

·          2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

·          1 tablespoon lemon juice

·          70g piece parmesan or pecorino Romano

·          2 tablespoons walnuts, toasted, roughly chopped

Thinly slice the fennel across the bulb with a sharp knife or mandoline. To slice the pears, hold upright on the bench and thinly slice down each cheek to keep the natural shape. Place fennel and pear in a bowl.

Whisk oil and lemon juice together in a bowl, season, then lighten with a dash of water. Toss with fennel and pear, divide among plates, then scatter with chunks of parmesan, walnuts and fennel fronds.