There are some vegetables that just shout farmers market or CSA to me. Mustard Greens. Garlic Scapes. Kohlrabi. Fennel.

I know, I know – fennel isn’t JUST from farmers markets and CSAs, but that’s literally the only time I ever end up getting it, meaning I hardly ever know what to do with it. Last year, I ended up keeping the fennel raw and preparing a Tomato, Fennel and Avocado Salad. It was good, but B didn’t like it that much – he didn’t like the texture of the fennel raw so I ended up eating most of his salad. (#winning!)

This year, week 9 of our Fresh Fork farm share came and once again we were faced with another bulb of fennel. I was determined to prepare it differently, in a way even B would enjoy. Enter, roasted fennel and carrots. Oh. Em. Gee. I may be overreacting, or just a little too excited, but I am super in love with preparing fennel this way. Even B tried it and liked it! The fennel softens and the strong anise-type flavor softens somewhat. I can’t wait to make this again!

Roasted Fennel & Carrots

Here’s what you need:

• One fennel bulb (without the stalks, but save the fronds), chopped into 1/2 inch slices
• four large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1 to 1 1/2 inch chunks
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• salt and pepper, to taste

Here’s what you do:

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Toss sliced fennel and carrots with olive oil.
3. Place fennel and carrots in a small casserole dish. Toss with fennel seeds and add minced garlic, salt and pepper. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until carrots and fennel are tender.
4. For added fennel taste, save the fronds and sprinkle 1-2 tsp. of the leaves on top.
5. Enjoy! Makes 2 side dishes or one large vegetarian main dish. For a vegetarian main dish, serve with a protein-rich grain like freekeh or quinoa, and/or a side of beans like lentils. Yum!

fresh out of the oven!

Some questions for you:

• What food or ingredient do you think of when you think of CSAs or farmers markets?
• Do you enjoy fennel? How do you eat it – raw or cooked?
• Do you eat your friend/significant other/child/roommate’s food if they don’t like it? I’m not judging!