There’s been a lot chatter and postulation about the purpose of fennel around the CSA barn these past couple weeks. Let go of your fennel fears because this crop is down right delightful. First, it is nutrient dense – giving us Vitamin C, Potassium, Manganese, Copper, Folate, Iron, and B3 – while having antioxidant properties. Where do you get the nutrient benefits out of the lanky, blustery piece of fennel you just picked-up? All of it! The entire fennel plant is edible–bulb, stalks, fronds, and seeds alike. The bulb is great to have sautéed as a bed under your favorite fish, as a side with onions, carrots and savory herbs, or in a salad. The stalks can be added to soups or stews like celery or you can juice them in with your green shake. Its feathery fronds can be used as a garnish, added as an herb to your staple dishes at home, or dried and stored for later use. Fennel is also commonly used in French, Italian, and Grecian cuisine if you are ready to experiment with a new recipe.
At the farm this week, our Education Program Manager, Chris Hawthorne, is heading out to the Hillsborough County STEM Science Fair. Chris will be a volunteer judge for the elementary level contestants to see the innovative ways kids are engaging with the sciences. For our adult learners and horticulturists, we are hosting the Organic Container Gardening Workshop with Willow LaMonte this Sunday, February 9th from 1:00-3:00pm. No matter what size your yard or patio, you can learn how to resourcefully grow your own food! Please RSVP here to reserve your space.