Mediterranean fennel gratin is a simple, fragrant side dish — perfect if you want a light, quick seasonal plate without sacrificing flavor. The fennel, sliced thinly, is enhanced with tomatoes, olives and red onion, then finished with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs that turn golden and crispy in the oven.
It’s an easy recipe with few ingredients and lots of flavor, ideal to accompany meat or fish mains and great as a vegetarian dish for everyday menus. A colorful Mediterranean side that brings out one of winter’s star vegetables.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Seasonality: Winter, Spring
Ingredients
- 1 fennel bulb
- 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes
- Half red onion (or a spring onion)
- green olives
- Taggiasca olives (or black)
- breadcrumbs
- basil
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Tools
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cutting board
Preparation
Clean the fennel, remove the green parts, wash well and cut into even slices (preferably less than 1/2 inch thick).
Arrange the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper without overlapping. Season with salt and pepper and brush with a little oil (1). If you have it, you can use an herb-flavored salt.
Add the cherry tomatoes, halved, the red onion in slices, and the olives, whole or sliced.
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and pour another drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (2).
Place the tray in a fan-assisted oven at 374°F and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the fennel is tender to your liking.
The Mediterranean fennel gratin is ready — remove from the oven and add a few basil leaves and some of the chopped green fronds to taste.
Tips and notes
Cooking times depend on the thickness of the fennel slices and on your oven’s characteristics.
You can flavor with aromatic herbs to taste: oregano, thyme, marjoram, etc.
You can add a little grated Parmesan if you like.
FAQ (Questions & Answers)
Can I omit the onion?
Of course — if you don’t like it, you can omit it or replace it with garlic (fresh or powdered).
How can I store the Mediterranean fennel?
If you have leftovers, you can put them in a container and store them in the refrigerator for one day.
