Tired of the usual fennel salad or boiled fennel? Try this simple and tasty recipe! Mediterranean-style fennel is a light and delicious side dish, perfect to accompany any dish. Fennel, besides being rich in digestive properties, is great for health and adds a touch of freshness to your menu. Let’s see how to prepare it!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter, and Spring
Ingredients
- 2 Fennel
- 1 Onion
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Black Olives
- Capers
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Preparation
Start by cleaning the fennel: remove the tougher outer leaves and cut the fennel into wedges. Then, wash them well and blanch them in a pot with salted water for about 8-10 minutes. The fennel should become tender but still quite firm.
In the meantime, take a pan and heat two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and let it sauté on low heat until golden and soft.
Once the onion is ready, add the blanched and well-drained fennel. Add a generous amount of halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, and capers. Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing everything. Let it cook on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fennel absorbs all the flavors and is well cooked.
Serve the Mediterranean-style fennel hot, as a side dish for meat or fish dishes. For a richer flavor, you can use oven-baked black olives instead of those in brine.
Notes
If you prefer a more intense flavor, you can add chopped anchovies along with the onion. They will give a salty and flavorful touch.
If you can’t find fresh cherry tomatoes, you can use dried ones, rehydrated with a bit of warm water, for a more concentrated flavor.
If you want an even richer dish, you can add chopped almonds or toasted pine nuts for a crunchy texture.
Tips
For a more balanced flavor, try letting the fennel cook on very low heat for a bit longer, so they better absorb the other aromas.
Use good quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the flavor of the fennel and other ingredients.
If you have some time, you can prepare the recipe in advance and reheat it before serving: the dish gains in flavor!
Variations
You can replace the cherry tomatoes with roasted bell peppers cut into pieces for an even more Mediterranean version.
If you want to make the dish a bit richer, try adding grated aged pecorino cheese slices on top just before serving.
FAQ – Mediterranean-style Fennel
Can I use frozen fennel?
Yes, you can use frozen fennel, but I recommend blanching them for a few minutes in hot water before using them in this recipe to soften them.
Can I prepare the fennel in advance?
Yes, you can prepare Mediterranean-style fennel in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. When ready to serve, just reheat them in a pan.
What type of olives can I use?
Black olives are perfect for this recipe, but you can also choose green olives if you prefer a stronger flavor. You can also use olives in brine or oven-baked olives for a more intense taste.
Can I make this recipe without capers?
Yes, if you don’t like them or don’t have them available, you can omit them without compromising the result too much. Capers give a touch of sapidity that you can replace with a bit more salt or with chopped anchovies.
