fennel

Crispy spare ribs with a mango and fennel salad were delicious and inspired, despite my typical aversion to ribs.

This one plays in high notes: the citrus lifts, the fennel gives a soft anise hum, and the sugar teases out the squash’s own mellow sweetness.

Roots and vegetables are natural fits: turnips, parsnips, cauliflower, mushrooms, roasted eggplant, fennel, sunchokes.

The bite of raw carrot or a gossamer slice of fennel offers a freshness that roasted beets or steamed sweet potatoes simply can't match.

Leafy greens and herbs: arugula, spinach, beet greens, mustard greens, radish tops, kale, dandelion, nasturtiums, fennel fronds, nettles, lovage, microgreens.