Household CSA Week 5 - July 19, 2017

First, this.

What a fine specimen of Selma Fino Fennel! Let's just take a moment to marinate in its glory.

• Close relative to the carrot - Apiaceae / Umbelliferae family (former because bees and pollinators love it, latter because a common observable characteristic among this group is a flower - or inflorescence - that resembles a parasol / sunshade).
• One of three main herbs used to prepare absinthe
• According to internets, in Greek legend, man received knowledge from Mount Olympus in the form of a fiery coal held in a stalk of fennel. 
• It makes your salad better. Full stop.

Beyond finnochio, which is Italian for bulbing fennel (ask a Finlander to explain their cultural reference with this term...), here is this week's loot bag:

Top left - Lovelock lettuce
Top right - Assorted kale (lacinato/italian/dinosaur + winterbor)
Right - Scallions (varieties: kincho and a beautiful red type)
Zucchini! - Black beauty + Soleil