Fennel

With its strong, aniseed flavour fennel always elevates your menu to surprisingly delicious tastes. Shred it when added raw to salads as its liquorice tang can be quite potent. Cooked fennel turns sweeter and slow cooked in creamy gratin is a wonderful way to enjoy it. If your fennel comes with fronds, don't throw them away- they are fantastic used as fresh herb or add it to pestos and chutneys.