Fennel

Fennel is a crunchy, mildly sweet bulb with a light anise flavor, a bit like licorice, that mellows as it cooks. It offers fiber, vitamin C and potassium. Fennel seeds have a long tradition as an after-meal digestive aid; in India, a small bowl of them is often passed around after dinner to freshen breath and settle the stomach.

Ways to use the bulb:

• Shave it raw into salads with orange segments and olive oil
• Roast wedges with olive oil and salt until caramelized
• Chop the feathery fronds and use them like a fresh herb

Try this: after dinner tonight, slowly chew half a teaspoon of fennel seeds and see how you like this old tradition.