Nutrition Information:

Fennel Bulbs are a great source of Potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and calcium, as well as magnesium. Pairing fennel bulb with iron-rich foods can help your body absorb the iron more efficiently. The leaves are also a great source of several vitamins and minerals. Fennel leaves and stems are a good source of Calcium, Vitamin C, Iron, Phosphorus, and also contain Niacin. These all promote good heart health.

Storage Tips:

Store Fennel bulbs in the refrigerator for up to a week by placing them in a perforated plastic bag or by wrapping them in a damp paper towel. To freeze, chop the bulb into smaller chunks, spread out on a baking sheet, and place in the freezer. Once removed from their bulb, the leaves are best stored similarly to herbs. They are best kept in a jar with a small amount of water, or wrapped loosely in a damp paper towel and stored in an open plastic bag in the fridge. This will help to keep the leaves fresh for several days.

Uses:

Bulbing fennel is great roasted, mixed in with mashed potatoes, baked, used in soups and stews, or grated or sliced raw and used in salads. Fennel can have a very mild licorice taste, but has a very generally sweet flavor when cooked. The leaves can be dried for seasoning mixtures, or used to make Fennel Tea which is helpful for digestion. Fennel leaves can also be chopped and sprinkled on salads, add to juices and smoothies, add to pesto sauce, cook into stuffing, mix with root vegetables in a salad, and more.

Recipe Ideas:

• From loveandlemons.com, a helpful overview: What Is Fennel? (And How to Cook It).

• This Creamy Fennel Mashed Potatoes recipe from reluctantgourmet.com combines Fennel bulb and potatoes in this classic dish.

• For something fresh, try this Shaved Fennel Salad from 101cookbooks.com, or this Fennel, Carrot, and Zucchini Salad from saltandlavender.com, which uses both the bulb and the leaves.

• This flavorful Carrot and Fennel Soup with Orange and Herbs from brooklynsupper.com is perfect for brightening up a dreary fall day.

• Try this Pineapple and Fennel Frond smoothie from wholefoodbellies.com for something unique and refreshing.