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Unusual Vegetable Plants |
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Fennel and Florence Fennel.
Fennel plants are easy to grow, but will become unkempt and woody if not repeatedly cut to encourage new growth. As with most plants they will produce seed and these can be used as well in the kitchen. Fennel can be chopped and used in food preparation in many ways where it's Aniseed flavour might be appreciated although the flavour is not to everyone's taste. Florence Fennel, or Finocchio, has highly decorative tops
and the same Aniseed flavour, but, with this plant, it is the bulbous
base that is usually eaten, although the tops can be used in the same
way as ordinary Fennel. This is not an easy vegetable
to grow as it needs warmth, plenty of water Finocchio can be harvested in the late Summer when it should be the size of a flattened tennis ball. Although, not one of the easiest vegetables to grow, it is well worthwhile if you like the taste, because although seen on sale in many greengrocers, it is usually very expensive with single "Bulbs" often costing the best part of one pound each. |
The Fennel that most people will be
familiar with is the feathery perennial herb that grows 5 feet tall,
but there is another type of Fennel called Florence Fennel. (See
further down page)
and runs to seed very easily.
As with growing Potatoes, Florence Fennel needs "Earthing
up" to produce a nice crisp white bulbous base. Florence Fennel
is very much a vegetable in the way it can be used instead of merely a
flavouring as with ordinary Fennel. It can be sliced or grated and
eaten raw in salads, or it can be boiled.