[cooperman]

I have a good crop of this Bulb (yes I know strictly speaking its not a bulb) any good recipes anyone?

[Robin Redbreast]

just chop it up and put with salad leaves and the like and a nice vinagrette it works for me i love fennel1

[compostqueen]

it makes wonderful soup  

I like it cut into thick wedges along with onions and garlic, frying off in a litte butter to colour it and then plonking that on the bottom of a roasting tin and laying chicken pieces on top, or pork chops, rabbit, hare etc. Adding dry white wine or stock, sprig of thyme, seasoning. Lid on and into the oven.  I stir in some cream to serve

[peapod]

I put mine in a fish, tomato, basil and olive oil marinade/stew with pasta and expected the kids to go YUCK! They didnt, in fact they ate the lot!

I expected it to be so aniseedy strong but it was lovely and subtle

I wont grow it again though..too much room for not enough yield for me this year

[compostqueen]

it's one I have to grow, a gourmet veg for sure, I'd rather not grow something else

[cooperman]

thanks all.... my taste buds are tingling!

I had a space and just plonked them in, grew away well, had a slight hiccup when the slugs suddenly took a liking to them but dropped a few pellets around and that sorted 'em out..... pesky critters

[Ice]

Parboil and cover with olive oil, or fry in olive oil, then bake covered with your favourite herbs and cheese until golden.

If there is a variety that is resistant to bolting I would try to find it.  During our long hot summers :roll:  they tend to bolt easily.

[Aidy]

This has been the one veg I have struggled with, it always seems to be disappointing which ever way I have cooked it until I did a simple soup and it was a good as any soup I have tasted.

[diggerjoe]

I struggled with fennel last year same this year can't seem to get it to bulb without bolting any tips from those who have been successful :?: as i love the stuff and are determined to grow at least one!

[shirazcat]

Hi all,
         I can thoroughly recommend the variety Rudy, available from Kings, £2 a packet for 100 seeds. I have grown this for the last 2 years & never had 1 bolt, You can start them off in small pots & then transplant, even if those who are supposed to know say "you can`t transplant fennel"
 Or you can sow direct, & thin out to 8 inches apart. I have sown another batch at the end of August, just too see hoe they grow in the Autumn. So far they are doing well.
                                    Adrian.

[compostqueen]

I've done some as well     They're growing away but still quite small.  Mind you I don't really mind if they don't get to full size as they'll be lovely in soups and casseroles, or my salad

Good tip about Rudy! Ta for that  

[jsmzxc]

Plant closer and use the thinnings then the small ones, I use a bit of liquid tomato food in the watering can as per instructions as I feel I need to force feed them. You can get loads off a couple of square feet of ground, continuously harvesting and sowing from mid may onwards. Its greatttt, especially roasted with a wee bit of tickled trout or chopped into a nice creamy pasta sauce. I add it finely chopped to the bread mix in my bread machine when I do ciabatta, along with chopped rosemary. In fact there is little I have not tried chopped up in bread mix. It does not all taste good though the chickens still eat it come what may