Fennel is a herb related to parsley, as evidenced by its ruffled, green, parsley-like green foliage. The round, white fennel bulbs are used much like celery, but the foliage is used to complement sauces, pickles, meat, fish or poultry. Dehydrate fennel for year-round use by hanging it in a warm, dry spot, or speed the process by dehydrating the herb in your oven. Store dehydrated fennel in an airtight container away from light and heat.
Air Drying
Step 1
Rinse the fennel under cool running water, then shake to remove excess moisture. Fennel that hasn't been exposed to pesticides or herbicides might not require rinsing.
Step 2
Gather the fennel into small bunches of about six to eight stems Secure the bottoms of the stems with a rubber band.
Step 3
Place the fennel stems in a paper grocery sack with the end of the stems extending from the open end of the sack. The sack keeps the fennel clean and ensures that seeds or debris fall into the sack while drying.
Step 4
Hang the fennel in a dark, dry room where temperatures are constant between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the fennel to remain for two to four weeks, or until the stems are dry and brittle. Dehydration time depends on moisture and air temperature in the room.
Step 5
Remove the dry fennel from the paper sack. Crumble the fennel, then store the dried herb in an airtight container.
Oven Drying
Step 1
Arrange the fennel in a single layer on a cookie sheet or baking pan.
Step 2
Turn your oven on the lowest temperature -- 140 to 180 F. Higher temperatures cook the fennel rather than dry it.
Step 3
Prop the door open with a wooden spoon to provide air circulation. Leave the fennel in the oven until it is dry and brittle, which should be about three to four hours.
Step 4
Allow the fennel to cool completely. Crumble the fennel and store it in an airtight container.
Tips and Warnings
- You can also dry fennel in an electric food dehydrator. Arrange the fennel on the drying racks, then dry the fennel with the dehydrator temperature set between 95 and 115 F. Drying time ranges from one to four hours. To dry fennel in the microwave, arrange a small amount of clean fennel on a paper towel or paper plate. Dry the fennel for one to three minutes on your microwave's high power setting. Open the door and stir the fennel every 30 seconds.
Things You'll Need
- Rubber band
- Paper grocery sack
- Airtight container
- Cookie sheet or baking pan
- Wooden spoon
