Fennel

[Wombat]

G'Day Magnus,

Instead of doing what you want like growing a big root or lots of leaves, they run straight up to seed and so woody or fibrous or bitter and become unsuitable for consumption. Iceberg lettuce are notorious for it!

Nev

[Muddypause]

These were a couple of my lettuces from last year. Actually I let these go to seed to see what would happen - they got about 3 feet tall, IIRC. Once they started bolting, they headed skywards very quickly, and the leaves became extremely bitter.



Ya gotta eat them while they're still lettuce-shaped.

[the.fee.fairy]

They're very pretty!
I might get away with planting lettuces in the flowerbeds if i let a couple go to seed like that...

[ina]

To get back to the fennel - my favourite way of eating it is as a salad, thinly sliced and mixed with grated carrots and apple chunks, and a honey dressing (lemon juice, honey, sunflower oil). You could also add bits of orange... Or shredded red cabbage.

[the.fee.fairy]

oooh Ina...i think i know what i'm having for lunch next week!
The honey dressing sounds good too!

[Cheezy]

These were a couple of my lettuces from last year. Actually I let these go to seed to see what would happen - they got about 3 feet tall, IIRC. Once they started bolting, they headed skywards very quickly, and the leaves became extremely bitter.



Ya gotta eat them while they're still lettuce-shaped.

Nice bolting lettice Muddy!.

Have you ever let rainbow swiss chard bolt, it's mad and quiet pretty. All twisted and jewel like gets upto 6 foot tall!

[cat]

we just munch on it raw, or put it in any sort of salad. Lovely stuff.

Muddypause - great christmas tree shaped lettuces

[chadspad]

Our fennel has now gone to seed. I have read u can use the seeds in cooking. Obviously u can use the bulb too. Can u use the wispy, feathery bits for anything?

[Cheezy]

Our fennel has now gone to seed. I have read u can use the seeds in cooking. Obviously u can use the bulb too. Can u use the wispy, feathery bits for anything?

See told ya ! bloody stuff is a nightmare to grow.

The fronds are great in salads, you can stuff inside fish prior to cooking, you could try flavouring olive oil with them,

I sowed mine 2nd week in September in an experiment to see if sowing really late stops it bolting. The seeds have germinated, but I havent been down to the lotti to see what this cold snap has done to them. I'll keep you informed.

[maggienetball]

last year I grew mine from seed and got mostly female bulbs (the rounder fatter ones). Most of the females bolted the males (thinner flatter bulbs) didn't. This year I've sown them much later and they've all turned out to be male. So far they haven't bolted, infact they're looking really good.....so far!

Has anyone else found a difference between the sexes and bolting? (opportunity for some smutty responses I think).

Incidently, I used Delia's peppers stuffed with fennel recipe (from her Chrimbo book I think), use the fronds the same as I do dill, and use slices of it most of all in stir frys and salads. Oh and I roast chunks of it along with my other veggies with my Sunday roast.

If they bolt I use the seeds for loads of things too.

[cat]

female bulbs are more tender, better for salads, the male ones are better cooked.

[mybarnconversion]

I like a lovely fresh fennel & chilli salad great with fish