Loving Fennel
I could only launch my website with my most favorite vegetable in the world. Well, truth be told, I have 2 but this one holds a special place in my heart and I have been eating droves of it lately here in Paris. I have been mildly addicted to the fennel since spending time in Italy a few years ago. My friend Lulu and I re-discovered the fennel with its elegant tall stems and fine fronds and the magnitude of possibilities it has with all of its parts. My favorite way to eat it is to cut it into strips and dip it in one of the many dips or purees like black (olive and carrot or artichoke & lime) I like keep in my fridge. Often, I will call this lunch. Fennel strips dipped in black olive tapenade – to me- is the perfect summer lunch – or perhaps just a nibble to have with a bold deep glass of red while chatting with a friend…
I breezed over with a bold statement that a fennel has a magnitude of possibilities. I have gotten many a friend addicted to shaving it thin into salads. It’s blends in with the lettuce adding an element of surprise. The fronds resemble dill but couldn’t taste more different. Ina Garten, aka The Barefoot Contessa, blends the 2 together in her roasted salmon. As a dill-hater… I actually enjoyed the herb because of the fennel. I often use the stems and the fronds to make a sauce or a dressing for salad or fish by blending or pureeing with olive oil and red onion. Spice it up with some red pepper and dinner is served.
At times we tend to underestimate our own bodies’ intelligence. If we pay attention, it will tell us exactly what it needs. Personally, I have a tendency towards anemia and have always had a strange stomach – my brother would say that my entire life has been driven by my digestive system. The fennel has amino acids called histadine and also has iron. These are both great for anemia. The fennel seed can stimulate the digestive and gastric juices and reduce inflammation in the stomach. This process will help you to absorb the nutrients more. Oh, I could go on and on and on…
Benefits of Fennel
Nutritionally the Fennel is full of vitamins and minerals and diuretic properties. Meaning it can help with swelling and excess water in the body. Anise is commonly known to sooth digestion and settle the stomach. Many aperitifs are made with the seed like Absinth, Campari and Sambuca - But fennel tea is a fantastic way to sooth an upset stomach or hurry digestion along after overindulgence. I have recently read that the fennel can even help with hair loss! I need to tell my brothers about this…
