Saturday Spice Spotlight: Fennel

 

Today's Spice is Fennel -- quite an interesting spice, as all parts are edible -- the bulb, fronds, stalk, and seeds.

I love fennel.  It's great for chewing after a meal to aid with digestion.  I take a little spoonful of it and munch away -- no honey is needed like when I take ginger for belly woes or turmeric for boosting my immune system.  I also have fennel oil in my toothpaste -- it tastes yummy and fennel is traditionally used to enhance the breath.  Besides digestion and breath, fennel is also used for:

• Fennel helps the eyes and helps reduce the effects of computer eye strain.  Just chew the seeds -- don't put them in your eyes!
• Gargling with fennel can help if you have strained your voice or have a sore throat
• Fennel is anti-inflammatory, and is traditionally used to help reduce swelling
• Antioxidants!  Fennel seeds contain quercetin and other antioxidants, which help remove cancerous free radicals from the body
• Even though the seeds are small, they're packed with vitamins -- a mini boost to your meal

The easiest and most relaxing thing to make with fennel is tea.  Put a tablespoon into a tea ball, and let steep in almost-boiling water for 3-5 minutes.  I like to put some sort of milk in my fennel tea.  It's great for after a big meal.

I also like to add fennel to any veggie stir fry I'm making -- I toast the seeds first in oil before I add onions and other veggies.  It gives off a wonderful licorice aroma.

Have you used fennel as a spice before?  What meals have you created with it?