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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 9, 2008 16:00:24 GMT -5
So I ripped out some florence fennel bulbs and noted that the root looks a lot like a carrot. I guess no surprise really and wondered if it were edible. I found one reference in my cursory search that suggested it was but figured you knowledgeable people would know for sure. Also, as it is borderline here (I've never had fennel survive before though I've planted in the coldframe this time) can you store the root, ala carrots, and replant in the spring?
Telsing.
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Post by canadamike on Nov 9, 2008 17:08:16 GMT -5
It is a perennial in its habitat if I am not mistaken. So you could store it in a cold storage I guess....
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 10, 2008 13:04:02 GMT -5
Might try it. I keep reading that fennel (including some suspicious entries for Florence / bulbing Fennel) is hardy to US zone 4, but it NEVER overwinters in my garden though plants that hardy to US zone 6 sometimes do. I think I'll store it to collect seeds next year just for fun!
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Post by canadamike on Nov 10, 2008 16:25:10 GMT -5
I ot some from my friend's nursery and planted it, it produced seeds the first year.
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 10, 2008 21:52:49 GMT -5
Yes, my bronze fennel sometimes seeds the first year but the florence fennel was planted for a fall harvest so it will not flower before the 'big snow.' I guess I should plant earlier for a seed crop 'eh?
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 11, 2008 8:39:49 GMT -5
So I was thinking agian about the florence fennel. Assuming that the root is edible and I believe it is (I tried some and haven't died yet), and knowing that some florence fennel bulb and leaves are tasty then why not try and grow an all around veggie - root, leaves, bulb and seeds. I realize, of course, that this might compromise the qualities of each part but then again the roots of my florence fennel were bigger then my salsify and I'm willing to dig, clean and cook those. Or perhaps there is a good all arond variety that I just don't know about? :-)
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Post by canadamike on Nov 11, 2008 11:19:58 GMT -5
How was the root. Good, tasty, tender?
I have some in the ground...
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Post by ottawagardener on Nov 11, 2008 13:22:30 GMT -5
Not bad - not woody and the taste was rather like carrot actually. I ate it raw. Apparently, cooked it is supposed to be taste something like parsnip (but is that the 'it tastes like chicken' for roots?). I haven't tried that yet.
added: Apparently, fennel seed (and possible fennel) in excess has a certain amount of nuerotoxicity (mother's taking fennel to increase their milk supply). I don't know if the problem is with seeds, the plant or if there is a concentration of some chemical in the root. But darn it, this question is bugging me, and I've exhausted my resources at the moment. I think I'm going to have to 'call' someone unless, of course, someone on here has the answers!
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Post by raymondo on Jan 9, 2009 5:51:59 GMT -5
Stephen Facciola's Cornucopia II simply says that Foeniculum vulgare has edible roots. It gives no indication of how to best use them. In fact, it says that every bit of the plant is edible. Even the pollen is used as a soup flavouring. It doesn't say this for Florence fennel, only ordinary fennel, but as the former is just a selection of the latter it all applies.
Pretty amazing plant. I love Florence fennel. Perhaps there is scope to do some breeding work here to develop a cultivar with good roots.
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 9, 2009 8:09:52 GMT -5
I really need to read Cornucopia. I have read similar books but haven't gotten my mitts on that one yet. Yes, I had read brief descriptions that it is edible too and would definitely be interested in a selection project to find those that produce 'descent bulbs, and tasty roots' which can be stored.
One neat thing is that I tried forcing FF roots after I ate them much like you would force chicory and the forced 'greens' (actually yellow & whites) were delicious!
I am pretty sure that Long Island Seeds has a mix of bulbing fennel if you want to try something out with me. Of course, I'll be looking for cold hardiness or root storage capacity as well.
What do you say Ray?
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 9, 2009 8:19:32 GMT -5
And another thing Ray: since we have different climes, it would be interesting to see the results.
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Post by raymondo on Jan 11, 2009 17:42:57 GMT -5
Sounds interesting. Certainly worth a shot I think. I just checked LISP and they do offer a blend. It would be worth first trying to get hold of as many cultivars as possible and start trialling.
How shall we work this little project?
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 11, 2009 20:30:44 GMT -5
I like it. I'm now writing that I will order from LISP and any other that I see while seed shopping, which by the way, I'm not supposed to be doing anymore. FF is a great small trial to do too as they don't take up much room.
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Post by raymondo on Jan 12, 2009 4:50:09 GMT -5
Have you been going to Seed Buyers Anonymous and vowed not to buy more seed?
I'll pick up whatever I find and will trawl the online catalogues to see what's available.
Do you sow early spring (after frost)? What about autumn? I haven't tried growing any here yet. Haven't lived here all that long and for the first few years was living in someone else's house so couldn't plant too much. Where I used to live it was possible to get two crops a year when seasons permitted though autumn was the best crop.
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 12, 2009 9:24:57 GMT -5
I normally plant mid-summer for a fall harvest and they stay alive in my coldframes for a month or more after first heavy frost.
However, I plan on trying a spring planting this year as well. They do have a nice looking taproot so I imagine they won't transplant well for early starting indoors but I may trying a cloche planting this spring.
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