I found wild fennel. Now what do I do with it?

[TMG51]

All this green fuzzy stuff is fennel. Like 5 foot tall bushes of it. Now what do I do with it? I guess it's not flowering so I can't get seeds? I already cut some of the bushy leaves and dried them, hanging between my window glass and black curtains, to preserve as spice. They sun baked right up. What else? Fresh in a salad? Soak it in a bottle of vodka and get trashed off quasai-absinthe flavor? :idea:  

Picture attached.

 

[highdesertranger]

we just call that wild licorice. since I can't stand licorice I really have no clue. when I was a kid some friends would just chew on the tender new growth. highdesertranger

 

[KMAG YOYO]

Slice up the white bulb into chunks and roast it in a pan with olive oil, salt and pepper, and some grated parmesan. Add some chicken legs and/or Italian sausage to the pan and you got a meal. Mellows out nicely when it's cooked, not so licorice-ey. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/roasted-fennel-with-parmesan-recipe.html

It's an invasive weed in a lot of places, so you'll be doing the ecosystem a favor by pulling it up.

 

[TMG51]

I'll try the bulb this week and see how it works in a pan with chicken.

I'm also trying the licorice spirits. I'll let you know if I die. Actually, no I won't.