Of all the herbs I grew this year fennel was one of the most successful. 
It was covered with blossom which in turn became seed heads. I wanted to harvest the seeds as fennel seeds are so useful in cooking. However the spider’s had other thoughts. They wove their webs into the flower heads and set up their larders. 
I have tried to show this by taking photographs but the light wasn’t good and the pictures arn’t clear. But here is one which I think shows what I’m talking about. 
Not to be deterred I picked those heads that hadn’t been despoiled and put them in a paper bag to dry and drop their seeds. 
I’m hoping that I shall have a fair number. I went out and bought dinky little pots to put seeds in and hope I won’t be disappointed.
I managed to collect some from the coriander but not in any great quantity. The kitchen now smells of liquorice from the fennel.
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Fennel Seeds
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I would love to know how you use them in your cooking I have some that a friend gave me but I haven't a clue what to do with them .
ReplyDeletehugs, Cherry
Fennel is useful to both, the gardener and the spider.... But spider uses it as anchor! ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteFennel makes a nice tea that settles the stomach. Coriander is nice in curries, ground up. I'm answering Cherry's questions, but It would be nice to hear how you use them, Valeri.
ReplyDeleteMy fennel self seeded itself onto the allotment from who knows where, but it's a welcome addition :)
ReplyDeleteI use loads for fennel tea, NAH uses it in curries and we spread them on top of pizzas to give a nice aniseed surprise. I use a lot in casseroles and soups too.
Cherry and Mary, as well as using them in tea I also use them with fish when I haven't got the feathery leaves and they are good with cucumbers as well and especially good thrown into salads!
ReplyDeleteVP I got lots of self sown fennel last year which I gave away to friends. Once you've got it, you've got it for life.
Bangchik I think fennel is exceptionally useful to the spider as the spokes of the flowers are ideal for making nests!
Val
Such a good harvst, Valerie. I can almost smell all your herbs. Now, I feel like cooking something to eat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pic of the flower head in the paper cone. I wondered how one collects the seeds.
ReplyDeleteMust do likewise Val otherwise there will be a surplus of baby fennel seedlings next year. As well as looking good and being useful it is a most soothing plant to stroke :)
ReplyDeleteI have to fight the wasps for my fennel. I will have to go out very early in the morning before they get started to get some. I have over 15 species of wasp and bee on the fennel any given day. Isn't it a beautiful plant, though?
ReplyDelete