This fennel salad is a favorite of my wife's. Preserved lemon may be difficult to find, but the salad is still delicious without it. —Jason Purkey, Ocean City, Maryland

Apple Fennel Salad Tips

What does fennel taste like?

Fennel mildly tastes like anise or licorice. It mellows and sweetens once cooked. Fennel has a crisp, celery-like texture. This recipe calls for the bulb, but the tops can be saved as garnishes for salads, soups and pastas. They can also be used to enhance homemade stock. Check out our favorite recipes featuring fennel.

How do you prepare fennel for salad?

To prepare fennel for use in a salad, first separate the bulb from the stalks and leaves. Remove any tough interior pieces of the bulb and then slice thinly on a mandolin or with a chef’s knife.

What goes well with fennel salad?

Fennel salads pairs well with seared scallops, baked fish and grilled chicken. Research contributed by Maggie Knoebel, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant