ROASTED FENNEL WITH PARMESAN

I love fennel and I’m always looking for new recipes that really show off this vegetable’s unique flavor. This past Christmas I was looking for the perfect side dish and came across this Roasted Fennel recipe by Giada di Laurentis. It sounded delicious and just what I was looking for to round out my menu. I ended up making a few tweaks to the original recipe to put my own spin on it and everybody loved it! Even the kids!

This dish is not only delicious but it looks festive as well. Plus it’s easy and quick to make. There is also the added bonus of it being able to be prepared ahead of time to free up your oven for the main event, that big bird or roast so if you’re looking for a delicious and festive side dish I highly recommend trying this one out!

What Ingredients Do I Need To Make This Roasted Fennel With Parmesan

• Fennel bulbs – 4 large ones trimmed.
• EVOO – I recommend using the best quality EVOO you can afford.
• Garlic – Finely chopped.
• Lemon Zest – You always want to use unwaxed lemons for zesting.
• Parmesan Cheese – Grated.
• Pomegranate Seeds
• Rosemary – Fresh rosemary sprigs are ideal for this recipe.

You can make this roasted fennel recipe ahead of time and serve it at room temperature or sprinkle it with more parmesan cheese and put it under the broiler for 3-5 minutes before serving. Either way, your guests are going to love it and it really dresses up a holiday table. I’ve since made it for Thanksgiving dinner as well as a dinner party and both times everyone raved about it!

Frequently Asked Questions;

What can I do with my fennel? Besides roasting it, fennel can be eaten raw in salads or sauteed. It is also great in soups, stew and sauces. 

What does fennel taste like? Fennel has a aromatic anise like flavor. Some people compare it to a black licorice flavor. While this may not sound appetizing to some, keep in mine that anise flavor will soften when the fennel is cooked.  

Does fennel cause gas or bloating? Fennel is actually good for the digestive tract. It contains the essential oil anethol that is known to support digestion, relieve gas and relax GI spasms. 

Roasted Fennel With Parmesan

An easy festive-looking savory side dish for any dinner.

www.comfortandpeasant.com

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 1/3 Cup good quality extra virgin olive oil, plus more for the baking dish
• 4 Large fennel bulbs, trimmed and cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices, fronds reserved
• 1 Tsp kosher salt
• 1 Tsp grated lemon zest
• 1 Clove garlic, sliced
• 1/2 Cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp pomegranate seeds
• 3 Sprigs rosemary (1 left whole, 2 chopped)

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. I like to use a glass or stoneware baking dish as opposed to a metal dish.
• Arrange the sliced fennel in the dish slightly overlapping each one. Sprinkle with the salt, lemon zest, sliced garlic, and the chopped rosemary. Place the whole rosemary sprig between the two rows of fennel.
• Top with the grated parmesan cheese and drizzle generously with the extra virgin olive oil.
• Bake until the fennel is fork-tender and has turned a nice golden brown, about 45 minutes.
• Chop enough fennel fronds to equal 2 teaspoons, then sprinkle the fronds over the roasted fennel along with the pomegranate seeds.

Keyword quick, simple, Vegetable

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If you’re looking for other vegetable recipes please check out my recipe for the Best Roasted Asparagus or my Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli.