Finocchi in padella

Finocchi in padella is a traditional dish originating from Molise. This peasant dish is a part of the cucina povera and it's made with a combination of fennel, garlic, thyme, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, olive oil, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.

The fennel bulbs are sliced into pieces, then added to a pan with sautéed garlic and thyme. The combination is cooked in a bit of water until the fennel is tender. It's then removed from the pan and mixed with grated cheese and breadcrumbs.

The dish is seasoned with salt and pepper and served warm as a side dish. In the past, the breadcrumbs were added to the dish to provide a caloric boost, but they can be omitted nowadays, if desired.