Baby Fennel

Baby fennel is an immature type of fennel, a vegetable often used to garnish both sweet and savory dishes. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region, but modern growers all over the world can cultivate this plant given enough sun and water. Both the bulbs and the leaves of the baby fennel plant are edible and contain a fair amount of vitamins and minerals.

Baby fennel has a slightly sweet, mildly pungent flavor, while the plant's fronds have a stronger taste comparable to licorice. Fennel fronds are often used to flavor salads, soups, and braised vegetables. Some cooks also use the fronds to flavor poultry and fish, but few use them with meats such as pork or beef. The plant's seeds, which are as sweet as the bulbs, are often used in Italian sausage and rye bread.