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Also known as “Tarquinia Fennel”, this vegetable is typical around Montalto di Castro (VT), and Tarquinia (VT), in the Lazio Region. Fennels have been cultivated here since 1379, and this variety of the Foenicum vulgare belongs to Umbelliferæ family.

Related to the “Roman Fennel” cultivar, it looks quite compact, with a white lump and close leaves. Petiolate leaves grow on the cylindrical stem. Seeds are painstakingly selected by the farmers, then eventually sowed in August. Harvesting takes place between November and the beginning of May, as fennels can withstand cold weather and bolting. These fennels are sweet, tasty, with a quite firm and crunchy texture.
As it proves difficult to match with any type of wine, the story goes that vintners used to serve it in order to make up for the poor quality of their spirits. That’s why, in common parlance, the verb “infinocchiare” means to deceive.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)