4 ways to prepare the versatile vegetable.

The fennel bulb may never come first in any beauty pageants, but when it comes to personality, it’s a winner. Fennel’s mild licorice flavor brings depth and roundness to sauces and braises, and when roasted, its sweetness concentrates and caramelizes until it’s almost like candy. It’s a versatile superstar that belongs in every crisper drawer.

But first, you have to tame that unwieldy bulb! Here are four easy ways to chop fennel for any recipe, from a tiny dice for sauces to thin rounds that add a juicy crunch to salads.