Florence Fennel

Also fennel, finocchio (Italian), bulbing fennel

In 1824, Thomas Appleton, the American consul in Florence, sent seeds of the city’s vegetable to Thomas Jefferson with this glowing report:

The Fennel is beyond, every other vegetable, Delicious. It greatly resembles in appearance the largest size of Sellery, perfectly white, and there is no vegetable, equals it in flavour. It is eaten at Dessert, crude [see Basic Use] and with, or without Dry Salt, indeed, I preferred it to every other vegetable, or to any fruit. I think they will all thrive in your climate; the experiment may compensate the Labour.