The fennel plant can be found literally anywhere in Malta – from roads, to fields, to by the sea!
A walk in the Maltese countryside is likely to lead to an encounter with the Fennel plant, known as ‘buzbiez’ in Maltese, a large flowering plant that belongs to the carrot family. The plant blooms in clusters, each having 20-50 tiny yellow flowers, while the plant itself can reach a height of a whopping 2.5 metres!
The Fennel plant can be found in abundance all over Malta, by roadsides, in fields, valley bottoms and coastal areas. It can be seen flowering from the middle of spring and all through summer, during which it provides an important food source for insects, including honeybees and wasps.
The seeds are harvested from the plant’s flower and then dried for use. Fennel seed is often the first herb that comes to mind when seasoning one of Malta’s favourite dishes – ‘patata l-forn’ or roast potatoes. The seeds create a sweet yet earthy flavour, and are often used to garnish meat dishes, as well as digestive herbal teas and alcoholic drinks.
Careful though, it is said that if used in large quantities the plant can be poisonous!
Are you a fan of fennel-flavoured dishes?