As I sit pondering the day over while simultaneously dabbing the sweat beads from my temples and listnening to the lull of my shaking the left over ice in my once full cup of fennel and lemon infused water, I suddenly have a fennel for thought!
Today's adventure began with the same thought (Meaning aside from that of the auto-pilot coffee thought!).
The one thought that seems to have encompassed even my most simplest of daily routines over this abundantly crazy triple-digit and drought ridden last few months...It's HOT!
With an extra emphasis on the the "OT"!
I cannot express enough how abnormal any summer heat is when your forehead sweats and your clothes stick even before sun up and your daily walk through the grass sounds like you're treading on a bag of potato chips or in true Texas tradition-a bag of fresh chicharrones!
Fortunately, mother nature provides a trove of cooling herbs to help curb such times that make you contemplate if you have indeed taken up residency in a chiminea!
WHAT IS A COOLING HERB?
Cooling herbs are herbs known to help cool down your core while providing other benefits such as anti-inflammatory and calming one's system etc..
Wonderfully natural cooling treasures like mint, cilantro, lemon balm and lavender and of course Fennel are just a few and are really great anytime of year but especially in times like these when it is more hot than not!
Me being one who thourougly enjoys the lovely taste of both anise and licorice, one of my favorite cooling herbs and definitely one that I have increased daily intake of is Fennel.
And on a bonus fun note, since I also stubbornly refuse to give up my love of ginger and my daily intake of said cherished and known warming herb, cooling fennel provides a pleasant balance to my often fun challenge of continuing an intake of a warming herb during these months of extreme heat.
FENNEL
So besides being a known cooling herb, what is Fennel?
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
The perennial flowering Fennel plant is a carrot kin that can boast yellow flowers and has the same whispery angel hair-like leaves similar to its relative.
Its growing stats are another reason I find Fennel a fave. Garden-wise I find it tolerates Texas times of drought and days of full sun decently well. Lives up to its "hardy plant" labeling tough enough to handle the Texas weather and soil as long as the area drains off okay. Oh, and did I mention, that it is super simple to grow and basically self-maintains and reseeds itself. Which deadheading can curb to limit its invasive tendencies. My only memo is that I find planting it further rather than closer to other garden residents works better as it seems to be a little tacky when it comes to being considerate of personal space.
Fennel holds note even in the Bible and hosts a history of folklore and has an origin noted as being of Mediterranean region showing to date back to ancient times for known use in both culinary and medicinal. And in some countries also for spiritual purposes.
An aromatic herb, this plant is a treat for the senses providing tones of soft licorice sweetness
mixed with a mildly sassy hint of spicy.
*Please note! Always speak with your health care provider before starting intake of anything. Fennel should also be especially noted for those with bleeding disorders and hormone sensitivities as it can cause negative health effects.
Fennel is also known to have several possible side effects that should be thoroughly researched and discussed with your health care provider before use of any kind.
I myself find fennel truly versatile and quite magical but personally think culinary-wise fennel sadly doesn't get enough credit in most everyday kitchens.
So versatile that depending on one's preference of use it can be a well fitted member of the veggie drawer, spice cabinet or added to any herb collection.
The fennel plant is completely edible! Raw or cooked from whispy leaf to shoot to bulb to seed and known to be filled with key nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, fiber to list just a few! Beyond the table, it is known to nicely cleanse the palate and aid in digestion.
I love to simply pop a pinchful of fennel seeds in my mouth after a good meal and slowly chew on them for a while. I deeply enjoy taking a few moments to relax just slowly savoring the fennel's amazing flavor and refreshing attributes all while gaining from its benefits. Fennel never fails at gifting me with a happy mouth and tummy!
Its yummy licorice-anise-like flavor is a win-win for any recipe too! I personally like to interchange it with (another of my household staples) cumino as well. Or if you are a caraway person, I"ve also discovered fennel makes a nice alternative to such as well.
Strength of flavor and sweetness varies with usage. My experience is the bulb mimics an onion (only with a bit more spunk that gives the tastebuds something new and flavorful to think about). The need to remove the outer bulb layer, the tough (yet edible) core and even the slicing similarity so actually it seems quite pronounced when left raw but the rest of the plant and seeds when left raw seem to me to give a slightly more mild yet less sweet presentation. Or the less I grind, crush, or let it cook.
Other than the bulb that appears to work opposite the rest of the plant, the longer I let it cook or the more finely I grind or mince it, the more pronounced I find it becomes. I've noticed so far sweetness tends to vary with my cooking method. It reminds me once again of the onion when I sautee or roast it, producing a sweeter flavor and even a sweeter aroma.
Seeds in whole form of the fennel plant can be an all around throw in for yogurts, cereal, (I love them sprinkled into a bowl full of cool plant-based ice cream!) salads, soups, pasta, meat and seafood dishes or most any recipe for a spectacular mild or outright zing of flavor. Though grinding them into a fine powder seems to really bring their flavor out to tout a bit more of their potential.
The seeds can be made into a nourishing tea that amidst reaping the many nutrients of this wonderful plant may also possibly help with relaxation, anxiety and insomnia.
I'm actually partial to simply tossing the seeds into my daily drinking water first thing in the morning so they continuously soak as I go along throughout my day, especially in this crazy heat. Fennel water is amazing! For hydration, taste and known health benefits. The seeds only get better the more they soak and are heavy enough that usually only a few make it into my straw while the rest remain in my cup even while refilling my cup over and over though placing them into a tea ball
The seeds can be added to a multitude of desserts and baked good recipes like for an amazing loaf of fennel bread, apple pie, or pumpkin empenadas . Or in whole grain home-made tortillas!
Baked beans, pizza and spagetti sauces can benefit from the unique flavor of these little guys too!
Fennel is also a vegetable that can in total be eaten raw for its best digestive properties or cooked to one's preference. The bulbs are great for roasting, steaming, sauteeing or just tossing into a salad or even diced up in pico de gallo!
It makes a good companion for other vegetables but also fruits alike so possible mix and matches are endless!
Fennel and its seeds are also fabulous when used for marinades, home-made vinegrette or an olive oil based dressing.
Medicinal and remedy-wise, anti-microbial, anti-infllamatory fennel is further known in use as an extract or oil to possibly help with different ailments.
In essential oil form it is known to be a great detox assistant for one's body. Fennel oil is also known to possibly help as a laxative.
This healing plant is also known to possibly protect and help the liver and aid in kidney related issues.
Fennel is known to be used commonly as well to potentially help with appetite, for digestion, heartburn, cramps, colic, wind, and bloating.
Additional uses include being possibly helpful for vision, teeth, hair loss, blood pressure, arthritic symptoms, and as a soothing expectorant,
Fennel is also menti0ned as being used as a blood cleanser which is great for possibly helping with deficiencies and other health related issues.
Furthermore, folklore of fennel is worth a definite venture for anyone. Fennel lore is filled with magic and mystery, snakes, evil spirits and ceremony that is sure to delight!
If anything else, this spectacular little plant certainly is a Fennel for Thought!
-Elise's Adventures In Herbaland
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