Green Fennel is another feathery friend growing for years in my
garden, feeding the Papilio machaon or swallowtail butterfly caterpillar.
We are in competition for the
leaves, as these ethereal little creatures can eat through a whole plant in
a day or two and as I usually let the fennel grow among my carrots and parsley, they will move onto their
leaves once the fennel devastation is terminated. So by the end of the summer my carrots and parsley are also bald.
Dill plants that grow wild are known as dillweed
and are a little more weed than dill so in other parts of the garden I have to plant
out the true dill from my own seeds. If mistreated when young they will bolt straight to the seed stage
avoiding leaves. I also have
to try and keep them far away from fennel and coriander as they will cross-polinate and their flavours will become muddled but dill prefers a moist, wind-protected, shaded spot with not
too much compost and should
be sowed out at different times
all through summer so there is a constant supply of leaves. Unfortunately the swallowtail is also a great fan.
Fennel leaf loves the sun and fertile soil and no great attention while dill needs love and care.
The seed-heads of both are cut when still unripe and green and tied up in a
paper bag to be kept in a warm space. The seeds are then so easy to remove from
the husk when rubbed in the palm of your hand.
We use the dill seed for flavouring fish and pickling cucumbers or cauliflowers.
The fresh flowers are added to salads and the
leaves can faultlessly aromatize rice. Its
an excellent digestive and makes the ideal after-heavy-dinner, nightime
tisane. Cures an upset stomach,
insomnia, flatulence and hiccups … A marvel !
Fennel is best when nibbled at in the garden
like a bonbon. Its aniseedy, sweet taste is to die for, especially when green
and juicy.
When dry they are rubbed into the flesh of pork with crushed garlic
and dried chili flakes or used to marinate a fresh loin of tuna, the leaves in salads or in the dressing
and as a tisane at night to aid a
tummy.
God, you've been a busy bee since Berlin and Paris... I have a lot to catch up !
ReplyDeleteDearest Ivan
ReplyDeleteSome of us work and some of us surf!
Lets meet up very very soon
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