14 Vegan Fennel Recipes To Try! (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with my fennel? ›

Whole fennel storage is straightforward (we like that!). Place whole fennel bulbs in a food storage bag such as a Glad® Flex'n Seal^® Food Storage Quart bag, then seal closed. Place in the refrigerator and you're good to go for 7–10 days!

Though often overlooked by home cooks, this versatile ingredient is beloved by chefs for its pleasantly sweet, fresh flavor and mild aromatic character.

Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.

The bottom line

Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects. To reap the benefits of fennel and its seeds, try incorporating raw fennel bulb into your salads or using the seeds to flavor soups, broths, baked goods, and fish dishes.

For women with painful menstrual cramps, fennel may provide relief. Studies show that the nitrites in fennel improve blood flow, which can help the uterus more efficiently expel the uterine lining and shorten the length of menstruation.

It helps in regulating the flow of the blood, thus reducing the pain caused by cramps. Soak fennel seeds in water overnight and have them first thing in the morning.

Pregnancy: Fennel is possibly unsafe to use when pregnant. Regularly using fennel has been linked to preterm birth. Breast-feeding: Fennel is possibly unsafe.

As fennel bulbs don't have a long shelf life, they can go bad before you have the chance to use them up. Look out for warning signs such as browned or shriveled patches. Rotten fennel bulbs may also feel mushy in certain spots or give off a foul smell.

Fennel stalks and fronds freeze well. Simply rinse them in a cool stream of water, and then place them in freezer-safe bag or container. Due to its high water content, freezing the bulb will change its texture.

How can you tell if fennel has gone bad? ›

While your refrigerated fennel should be completely safe to eat for up to 10 days, you should still keep an eye out for any sign that the plant has gone bad. Brown discoloration, mushy spots, and a bad smell are all indicators that the fennel is past its prime and should be thrown out.

Excess consumption of fennel may worsen kidney disorders, slow down the clotting process, disrupt hormone-sensitive conditions, and can cause chronic skin allergies.

Fennel seeds are rich in fibre and may aid in weight loss and keep hunger pangs at bay. They work as diuretics and improve metabolism. Consuming fennel seeds daily with a balanced diet and workout helps you to shed extra pounds quickly.

However, it's important to note that fennel seeds have health benefits and can be incorporated into your daily routine in moderation. Fennel seeds, or saunf, are known for their digestive properties and can be consumed after meals to aid digestion.

Digestive and purifying

Rich in vitamins and minerals fennel is particularly well known for its digestive properties (especially when eaten raw at the end of a meal) and for its liver and blood purifying properties.

The fennel bulb is enjoyed raw, where its anise flavor is most pronounced, and cooked for a sweeter, mellower version of itself. But don't pitch the rest! The entire fennel plant is not only edible but delicious.