Oven Roasted Fennel - Licoricious Deliciousness

Here's what it looks like at the store - if you want to try it out and have no idea what you are looking for!

Out of the oven and ready to eat.
I'm on a perpetual hunt for new veggies to try now that we aren't eating our usual side dish of white potatoes/rice/pasta . A lady at superstore told me I should try roasted fennel so I decided to go for it. I've never eaten fennel in my life and had no idea what it looked like. I bought a bunch at extra foods (the cashier did not know the code - he was a scary dude - I hated to set him off).  It has a bit of a sweetness to it and a slight licorice flavour (Uncle Tom this would go great with your black licorice candies and Zambuca). Hubby wished he had some Zambuca to wash it down but I enjoyed it and would make it again if Hubby will agree to eat it.

Oven Roasted Fennel

1 bunch fennel
2 tbsp olive oil
fine sea salt - to taste
ground black pepper  - to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice fennel into quarters. I sliced off the top and bottom and then cut down the middle. I then quartered it.  Eat the bulb not the stalk (I think). Place in a casserole dish and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt/pepper. Mix to cover. Roast in oven for about 40 minutes (until tender), turning occasionally. Easy. Done!