Fennel is a herbaceous plant that produces buds, compact structures made up of leaves tightly closed to each other. Its core resembles a white ball, flattened at one side and prolonged on the opposite part in a series of green, tubular and hollow stems crossed by needle-like leaves, very tender and light.

Fennels are harvested all year round, depending on the variety. However, they are considered a more typically winter vegetable.

Fennel can be eaten either raw in salads alone or enriched with other ingredients, but it also lends itself to many preparations, whether boiled or steamed, braised or stewed, au gratin and stuffed.