The term pollinizer is easy to confuse with pollinator, and many people misuse the terms. A pollinizer is a plant, while a pollinator is an animal, usually an insect. Both are important in producing fruit on trees, vegetable plants, and more.
21.08.2023 - 11:57 / theunconventionalgardener.com / Emma Doughty
Throughout history, herbs and spices have been extremely popular, used as medicines and aphrodisiacs as well as making their way into dinner. A plant that the Romans (and ancient Greeks and Egyptians) would have been familiar with was Silphium. They thought it was the finest of all seasonings, as well as a top notch medicinal plant. The Romans got a taste for meat from animals fed on Silphium, and it seems that the herb may well then have been grazed into extinction. It never seemed to make it into cultivation. Another possible explanation of Silphium’s disappearance is that a change in the Mediterranean climate meant it could no longer thrive, and died out naturally. According to Pliny, the last known Silphium plant was given to Emperor Nero as a gift.
It is now thought that Silphium was a form of giant fennel, and so we might be able to get an idea of what it was like by using fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in our cooking. It has an equally venerable history, with mentions of it on ancient Egyptian papyrus sheets. The ancient Greeks used it, and the Romans brought it with them when they invaded Britain. The French, apparently, find that rabbit has its best flavour when the bunny in question has been fed on fennel.
Fennel leaves and seeds can both be used for herbal teas, with the characteristic aniseed flavour. Fennel leaves are often used as seasoning for fish and olives (and snails!) and the feathery leaves make an attractive garnish. You can combine fennel, lemon balm, parsley and sweet marjoram for a bouquet garni for fish dishes, and a sauce made with gooseberries and fennel leaves is used in a classic mackerel dish.
Fennel seeds are very versatile, being equally tasty in sausages and stuffing as they are in bread,
The term pollinizer is easy to confuse with pollinator, and many people misuse the terms. A pollinizer is a plant, while a pollinator is an animal, usually an insect. Both are important in producing fruit on trees, vegetable plants, and more.
Are you torn between the aromatic allure of fennel and the crisp crunch of celery? You’re not alone! These two versatile vegetables may seem worlds apart at first glance, but they share an array of similarities that can elevate your culinary creations and even impact your gardening choices. Dive in to unravel the fascinating parallels between Fennel vs Celery!
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It’s Sunday morning, and Ryan is still asleep, and I got a bit bored and started playing around with one of those “blog title generators”. (For those of you for whom this is a new concept, they generate click-bait style headlines for a topic you give them.)
Today’s guest post is from Vanessa – she blogs at Esculent et cetera.