16 replies to this topic

[dijarm]

I just came upon a recipe for roasted fennel--the pictures have it looking delicious! I've never had fennel before, do any of you use it?? Is it good and is there another vegetable that it could be compared to for flavor?

[ocmimi]

I've always eatten fennel raw (finocchio as my grandma called it) and it was like eatting celery with an anisette flavor. Let us know how it tastes roasted.

[Susanjt]

I've cooked fennel various ways but not roasted. It's kind of like celery but with a light anise flavor.I really like it. I've seen a grapefruit or orange salad with fennel but I haven't tried that either.

Susan

[anticipating2011]

Similar to celery, but something about it, I just didn't care for. Left a strong after taste. I tried it raw, not sure how it would be cooked.

[dijarm]

Okay, I finally tried fennel! i tried the roasted recipe with EVOO, red wine vinegar, crushed garlic, dijon mustard and parmasean cheese. Mixed it all up with the fennel and roasted for 40 min at 25--and I liked it! Next, i will try spaghetti squash. A veggie i don't understand. It's a squash but people put sauce on and eat it like spaghetti?? I'll give it a whirl, not sure what I will do with it though. need to do some research. any ideas on this one??

[jenrdn69]

I find it icky. tastes like lichorice (sp?) which I don't like. Its one of the very few veggies I don't like. I even like brussel sprouts! But, some people love it. people's taste differ -- its always good to try new veggies!

[dijarm]

jenrdn69, on 02 February 2012 - 04:40 AM, said:

I find it icky. tastes like lichorice (sp?) which I don't like. Its one of the very few veggies I don't like. I even like brussel sprouts! But, some people love it. people's taste differ -- its always good to try new veggies!

I was concerned about the licorice flavor, but with all the garlic and parmesan cheese it wasn't really detectable. But yes, I have heard you either like it or hate it.

[MeliWillis]

dijarm, on 01 February 2012 - 05:28 PM, said:

Okay, I finally tried fennel! i tried the roasted recipe with EVOO, red wine vinegar, crushed garlic, dijon mustard and parmasean cheese. Mixed it all up with the fennel and roasted for 40 min at 25--and I liked it! Next, i will try spaghetti squash. A veggie i don't understand. It's a squash but people put sauce on and eat it like spaghetti?? I'll give it a whirl, not sure what I will do with it though. need to do some research. any ideas on this one??

After the squash is cooked, I mix in a wedge of laughing cow cheese. I tried it with spaghetti sauce, but didn't like it that well. I very much like it with the cheese.

My JCC gave me a recipe which takes cooked spaghetti squash and mixes in a can of Rotel tomatoes, sprinkle with a little quesadilla cheese. It was good, but not worth the added calories (or sodium) for me to make it on a regular basis.

[dijarm]

MeliWillis, on 02 February 2012 - 10:34 AM, said:

After the squash is cooked, I mix in a wedge of laughing cow cheese. I tried it with spaghetti sauce, but didn't like it that well. I very much like it with the cheese.

My JCC gave me a recipe which takes cooked spaghetti squash and mixes in a can of Rotel tomatoes, sprinkle with a little quesadilla cheese. It was good, but not worth the added calories (or sodium) for me to make it on a regular basis.

I plan on buying some squash this weekend and trying it out. I've looked up a few recipes on line that look good. will let you know how it goes!

[jenrdn69]

Are the squash recipes being used as MOMO? I thought any of the hard squashes (spaghetti, acorn) were starchy veggies and not free.

[I Called Jenny]

Personally I HATE licorice but raw fennel was something I grew up with and I always had after a big Italian dinner.

I'm not sure why but it's supposed to help settle your stomach - and it does! Or at least it did in my family.

[dijarm]

jenrdn69, on 02 February 2012 - 11:37 AM, said:

Are the squash recipes being used as MOMO? I thought any of the hard squashes (spaghetti, acorn) were starchy veggies and not free.

I'm on maintenance but, Spaghetti squash is not a starch. (1/2c serving is 5g of carb) Acorn and butternut fall into the starchy catagory, that's why I'm trying the spaghetti....because I miss squash! Yes, I could still eat the others and count them as one of my starches but if I'm going to have a starch-- I'd rather have bread, rice or potato!

[ocmimi]

I'm glad you liked the fennel. Like I said earlier I've only had it raw so I'd be interested in trying your roasted version. Nice that you are trying all sorts of vegetables for variety.

[matchingoutsidetoinside]

Spagetti squash is awesome, and fast to cook this way: slice in half, scoop out the seeds with an ice-cream scoop (works awesome) discard seeds and put flat side down in your rice steamer! That's right your rice steamer! Cooks in about 40 minutes. Use a fork to rake it out. I love this as a base with the meatball primavara! I add garlic and use a cheese for Parmesan topping, but it is also to die for with feta. Let me know how you like it!

[dijarm]

Spaghetti squash is now my favorite "new food| I can't believe I've never had this before! I sauted some garlic in low fat butter andded a pinch of basil and tossed in the squash then added some parm cheese. It was wonderful. I'm definately going to enjoy this guilt free veggie as a replacement for pasta from now on!

[claudia12]

VERY IMPORTANT:

Fennel is safe for many. But check with your doc if you are on either birth control pills or cancer drugs or some other meds. Here is why and your doc can verify this info which my doc told me:(in different words but same meaning)

"Taking fennel along with birth control pills might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with fennel, you might want to consider additional forms of protection. "

Also, one of our sons is severely allergic to fennel and can not eat pizza or Italian sausage containing fennel . He is also allergic to celery.

Both types of allergies, celery and fennel, often go together. it took us awhile to discover the fennel allergy because we didn't immediately understand what ingredient in some pizzas and sausage was the culprit. An allergist figured it out.

Our son would get very sick to his stomach, break out in hives, etc.

I do NOT want to scare anyone. I eat foods with fennel myself. But if you take birth control pills,check with a medical professional to play it safe. At least, thats what I'd do.

[dijarm]

Good to know! I am however, WAY past that stage! Scary how allergies can pop up unexpectedly, you just never know.