Looking for some fennel

[janzy]

I've tried the local supermarkets (shaws, stop and shop) to buy some fennel for a recipe I have and can't find any.
Has anyone seen any fennel local to the Boston area?
Thanks

[buffet king]

I saw fennel (anise) at Foodmaster on Salem Street (Rte 60) in Medford today. The fennel (anise) is $1.99.

[rebs]

you should be able to find it just about anywhere. in grocery stores it's usually labeled as anise. i made the same mistake a long time ago when i was first started getting in to cooking (as a hobby, not professionally)

[chowfamily]

I just saw this post, but if you are in the area, the Fruit Center at the Milton Marketplace in East Milton has wonderful leeks and fennel. It is a bit expensive, but fresh and delicious, perfectly clean, and they have very good meat and seafood as well.

If this is a detour, Kam Man in Quincy has excellent value for rice, produce, and much more.

[janzy]

I picked some up from Milton Marketplace today.
Shaw's really sucks for produce!
Thanks

[marilees]

I just got some already cleaned and trimmed from Trader Joe's in Brookline today.

[galleygirl]

REALLY? How much was fennel, BTW, at Trader Joe's?

[marilees]

Oops - sorry, the fennel was from Whole Foods; it was leeks from Trader Joe's :\

[galleygirl]

REALLY? Leeks from Trader Joe's? BTW, how much?
;)

[marilees]

2 trimmed and cleaned for $2.99. I just hate dealing with sand :P

[grant.cook]

Its not as ubiquitous as carrots, but I see it pretty routinely in local grocery stores around Boston. Whole Foods is probably a lock to have it.. or a larger Shaw's or Big Y.

[treb]

Market Baskets have it, I go some last week. Also, in the NE.

[cassoulady]

the produce store on Parmeter street in the north end always has it. I always see it at the symphony whole foods as well.

[buffet king]

You could try Roberto's Produce on Mystic Ave in Medford. Roberto's usually has fennel/anise.

-----
Roberto M Bros Inc Fruit
246 Mystic Ave, Medford, MA 02155

[macca]

Wilson Farms in Lexington carries it. Funny you can't find it in the supermarkets. Even the HORRID Shaws in Melrose has fennel. Local stop and shop and Johnnies also carry it.

[PinchOfSalt]

A bit off-topic, to be sure, but I couldn't resist...

Are there any GOOD Shaws anywhere?

Even though I could easily walk to the Shaws in Belmont (Waverly Square), I find myself splitting my shopping trips among Russo's, Wilson's Farm, and the Fresh Pond Bread and Circus... err.... Whole Foods. (I get most of my meat, poultry, and seafood at Whole Foods because I can trust its quality and usually a little goes a long way, but I have to admit that I occasionally hit the Stop and Shop near Russo's and the Waltham Costco when I want to purchase those foods in larger amounts and the cost of avoiding hormones and antibiotics at Wholefoods exceeds my budget.)

[macca]

You make a good point- there is not a good shaw's anywhere! i buy all of my produce and lots of my meats from Wilson Farms- make a trip to BJ's and Trader Joes a few times a month. There is a stop and shop near my office which I sometimes pop into on the way home. I usually go to my local shaws only on Sunday am for the paper and kitty litter!!
I have never been to Russo's- I think I will have to try it sometime soon. I love Wilsons, but based on all of the positive things I have seenn on this board, Russo's is worth a visit.

[finlero]

I believe Russo's supplies Wilson Farms with a lot of its produce. Be warned, it's perennially mobbed, especially on weekends.

[macca]

Wow- that surprises me, as Wilson has a large farm in New Hampshire, and a bit of space for planting in Lexington.I think next time I am there I will ask them what they get from Russo's. Hate the thought of mobs- I usually get to WIlsons around 9:30 Sat am- never a problem, and am in and out in no time. I live in Melrose, and can leave my house, shop and be back home in about an hour.

[galleygirl]

They probably stock up on things they don't grow, but need to source. I was at Allandale Farm in Brookline, and they had a list of things they were getiing from Russo's, too.

[PinchOfSalt]

Yes, Russo's is deservedly popular. Within the past year they have expanded their parking. There's always a spot, but at the peak weekend times it may be in the lot behind Russo's that belongs (or maybe used to belong) to some industrial-looking company (but is marked as okay for Russo's customers). Russo's does a good job of having lots of cashiers on hand. So, even if your schedule only allows you to shop there on the weekends at around mid-day, it is worth the trip to visit international produce heaven. My only quibble is that in the past few weeks they haven't had curry leaves (essential for south Indian cooking) any time I have been there. They used to have them all the time.

If you go to Russo's first, then Wilson's you should be okay. Russo's opens very early, before Wilson's. 8AM comes to mind. There is no problem with crowds then.

[lgss]

And Wilson Farms is closed on Tuesdays.

[finlero]

The one in Porter is crowded (and the parking lot all but guarantees that my head will explode; fortunately I'm able to regenerate), but the selection has drastically improved over the last ten years, especially for produce and organic foods. Yes, Whole Foods and Russo's still have more, but Shaw's really has come a long way.

I fondly remember looking for a fresh jalapenos at the Porter Shaw's in 1999, and ultimately purchasing two shriveled, sorry excuses for produce. After much consternation, the checkout woman opted to ring them up under "variety pepper".

[finlero]

Not sure which Shaw's you went to, but I see it often at the Porter Square location.

Other ideas: Russo's in Watertown will have it at a fair price, Whole Foods definitely had it last weekend, as did Pemberton Farms.

[janzy]

I was at the Shaw's in Dorchester.
Thanks

[C. Hamster]

I've seen it there, actually. Also at the Stop and Shop in Quincy and Milton market.

Maybe they were out of it.

[galleygirl]

Even Whole Foods has it at a decent price if you buy the conventionally grown...I've seen it at every single one; I use it all the time.

Not to be rude, but do you know what it looks like? Some stores will label it as 'anise"...Just wondering...