Fennel

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is an aromatic Mediterranean plant of the carrot family whose every part is edible — a pale, layered "bulb," crisp green stalks, feathery fronds and intensely sweet seeds. Raw, the bulb is crunchy and refreshing with a clean licorice-anise note; roasted or braised it turns silky, mellow and almost sweet, the anise softening to something nutty and caramelized.