consciouseating
FENNEL This is a fun plant to grow in a Central
Florida garden. Not only is it beautiful, it is also aromatic and has great health benefi ts. Growing fennel is a wonderful way to be involved with the cycle of life and get something edible from your own backyard. It is a host plant to black swallowtail butterfl ies so we do have to compete with nature to determine who gets to eat fi rst—us or the black swallowtail caterpillars. Black swallowtail butterfl ies lay their eggs on the tops of the fennel plant. When these eggs hatch, tiny caterpillars emerge and eat the plant as their primary food source. Often ten, fi fteen or twenty caterpillars can appear overnight. It is fun to watch them grow, but as they mature the fennel plant gets eaten down to tiny nubs. However, the undamaged bulb underground can still be dug up, prepared and enjoyed as a nice snack or side dish. If the fennel plant stays in your garden long enough it will produce delicate, edible fl owers that taste just like black licorice candy. If the plant matures even longer it will produce edible seeds, which is what you may be accustomed to buying in the store as a culinary spice or tea.
Selecting Fennel: Bulbs,
Locally, Eat Healthy– Fennel and Orange
Eat Seasonally, Eat Top Picks from Dr. Samadhi Artemisa, Ph.D., A.P. W
hat are you thankful for this season? As you are remembering to give thanks to your friends and family, extend your well wishes to all the local farmers and
gardeners who provide us with such an abundance of foods. With the cooler weather it is much easier to grow food here in Central Florida and much easier to fi nd locally-grown food at stores and farmers markets. We have really entered into our harvest season, starting with Fennel and Orange.
22 Central Florida natural awakenings
Stems and Feathery Leaves Fresh fennel bulbs are shiny and fi rm. Avoid bulbs that are withered or dull- looking. Some brown markings are nor- mal but I don’t recommend eating the brown parts. Stems and feathery leaves can be compared to a stalk of celery. The stems should be fi rm and the leaves perky.
FENNEL SEEDS These can be purchased as a bulk herb
or a seasoning sold in standard shaker bottles. They can also be purchased in tea bags and easily brewed as a digestive tonic tea with boiling water.
Storing Fennel
If you select a fresh bulb, it will store well for several weeks sealed in a plastic bag in the fridge. Since they deteriorate quickly I recommend removing the leaves and eating them immediately; they are a fl avorful addition to salads.
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