“Sweet Anise” is how I was introduced to this licorice-flavored vegetable. I had never seen or heard of this until I met my husband (boyfriend at the time) and went to his parents Italian/Portugese home for dinner. They loved it and had it in their home more often than not. They also called it finocchio which is the Italian name.
After I got married, I learned to buy it often for my husband because he, like his family, loved it. I was taught how to serve it – cut into sections and put into a bowl of cool water. Another word for this celery-consistency vegetable is, Fennel Bulb.
I never liked it. 
I assume it’s because I don’t like the flavor of black licorice because that’s exactly what it tastes like. So…if you like the flavor of black licorice and you’ve never tried this vegetable, you would most likely like it. 
