One perk of having rich archival material from the creation of Something Italian is whatever was left out can always be repurposed—sort of like my penchant for leftovers.
Fennel fits neatly into that category.
Two weeks ago, I made NYT’s Dan Dan Noodles for dinner. At the market, I had also stumbled upon some rather fresh fennel to which I added fennel kimchi to the menu that night.
Fennel was a Covid obsession of mine. Shanti Arts published this magical piece below (for paid subscribers) about fennel. A version of the article wound up in an Italian Americana creative writing journal, when I worked with an Italian editor.
However, when the time came to incorporate fennel recipes into Something Italian, the ingredient went missing from the files. Meaning, my mother’s recipes contained only two references to fennel. Most likely, other than soup, and a few others with fennel seeds, we ate fennel raw (calling it “Italian celery” while friends shook their heads knowing everything was Italian for us!).
Over time, I’ve pickled fennel, added it to kimchis, gratins, and soups (like one might add celery) and to my Thanksgiving broth. Fennel is more versatile than most people realize. The vegetable adds a depth to slaws and kebabs, and other dishes, that celery simply cannot reach.
For my paid subscribers, here’s a tesoro piccolo, a little treasure of what was left out of Something Italian, not because it wasn’t Italian enough. But because fennel always left me wanting for more flavor, for more of my father, for more of everything Italian.
And don’t forget to try out the Fennel “Quick Kimchi” from NYT Cooking and “Think of Kimchi as a Verb.” Perhaps I need to write a new version, Think of Fennel as a Way of Life.”
Upcoming Author Appearances and Other Notable Events - with some of my favorite people.
July 28 - Caring for the Caregiver Writing Experience, virtual, FREE. REGISTER. Contact Kara Pierson Harper. Phone: (513) 244-5494. Email: kpierson@muchmorethanameal.org.
September 1 - West Virginia Italian American Festival, 5:30 p.m. Clarksburg Public Library. Details coming soon.
Oct 15 & Oct 29 - LitCleveland - Finding Memoir in Food. Sign up for LitCleveland, or return here for details.
October 21 - Lloyd Library and Museum in partnership with Fotofocus, Presentation - Chestnuts: The New Comeback Kids. More details to follow.
November 14 - Books the Banks.
Annette Januzzi Wick - Morning Finds is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber
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