This perennial herb of the celery family is usually used in American dishes, but when is the fennel season? It is available in the January-April and October-December periods in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and Virginia. In the June-July period, fennel can be found in Kansas, Rhode Island, and Colorado.
| State | Fennel in season |
|---|---|
| Alabama | January till April and October till December |
| Arkansas | January till April and October till December |
| Northern California | January till December |
| Colorado | June till September |
| Connecticut | October till November |
| Delaware | October till November |
| North Florida | January till February and September till December |
| South Florida | January till February and September till December |
| Idaho | June till October |
| Iowa | August till September |
| Kansas | July |
| Louisiana | January till April and October till December |
| Maryland | October till November |
| Massachusetts | October till November |
| Michigan | June till Mid-September |
| Minnesota | July till December |
| Mississippi | January till April and October till December |
| Nevada | June till September |
| New Jersey | October till November |
| New Mexico | August till November |
| New York | October till November |
| North Carolina | January till June and September till December |
| Ohio | September till October |
| Oregon | January till December |
| Pennsylvania | October till November |
| Rhode Island | June till November |
| Tennessee | January till May and September till December |
| Utah | June till September |
| Virginia | January till April and August till December |
| Washington | June till November |
| Wyoming | Mid-April till August |
Fennels contain calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and aluminum. They have an antispasmodic and carminative effect, increase the secretory activity of the digestive glands, promoting digestion and act as a diuretic.
Fennel has an expectorant and disinfectant effect. In folk medicine, a decoction of fennel seeds is used to wash the eyes for conjunctivitis and the skin for pustular diseases. It is also drunk for flatulence, abdominal pain, coughing, insomnia, as well as to improve milk production in nursing mothers. Last but not least, fennel is recommended for, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. Gargling with fennel decoction eliminates sore throat and hoarseness.
¿But how to use this miraculous plant? To use the medicinal properties of fennel, it is possible to ground it into powder, and brew half a teaspoon in the morning, afternoon, and evening in a small cup of boiling water and drink it.
When it comes to cooking, fennel leaves are added fresh to salads and fresh seafood, fish, and meat dishes when stewing. The seeds are put in spicy soups and marinades, and various pickles. This plant is most widely used in French and Italian cuisines.
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