I recently finished reading the latest Frances Mayes book about her life in Tuscany. I’m not a huge fan of her books, but I am a sucker for any book about Italy and so when a friend loaned it to me, I dove right in. There are some interesting recipes included and I will probably give a few a try. The menu for an antipasto platter made me want to start cooking and throw a big summer party.

Something in the book reminded me about harvesting wild fennel for its aromatic and flavorful pollen. I am lucky to have an unlimited supply growing not even a block from my house and so yesterday I set out with my clippers to bring home a bundle. I did attempt this last year and I have to tell you that you need a lot of fennel flowers to get even a little pollen. I barely got a teaspoon worth after all was said and done. I had decided at that time that I probably wouldn’t go to the trouble again. Well, this time I brought home a bigger bunch and we’ll see how it goes. I will say that the little bit that I did use last time was delicious sprinkled on a pork roast.