Feel Good Fennel

There is no doubt we have entered into flu season, as the late Thanksgiving holiday leads into gathering, traveling, sharing of food with family and friends and, yes, cold and flu. This week, our family, both at the farm and in our home, were under the weather, and we have been sipping chicken noodle soup with a little farm fennel. It imparts a slight sweetness and licorice flavor but adds a huge herbal punch for health. It is packed with vitamin C, potassium, iron and antioxidants. It is wonderful at abating cold and flu without requiring any fussy preparation—just plop in soups or slice and chew on the stalk or leaves, fresh and raw. My kids love it, which is a miracle these days in their teen sugar-crazed world. Plus, its historical Italian journey from Florence to America as a gift to President Thomas Jefferson in 1824 provides us with light-hearted conversation.

The farm days are lovely, as we start at 8 and stop around 4:30 with the sun setting early. We have been cleaning up irrigation pipe and the sheeting we use in the fields to block weeds and conserve water, and will soon start in on the greenhouses. We are starting to get excited for 2020, and we received the Johnny’s seed catalog, but have not opened it yet. It is our cherished Christmas farm gift—once you open it, its very hard to put down. The excitement of growing everything fills the air and helps us through the dark days. We hope you stay healthy as we get close to Solstice, and stalk up on your fennel, it will serve your body well!

Make sure to find us on Instagram @fullcirclefarms.