Fennel, peach & parmesan salad
on Jul 15, 2014, Updated Nov 23, 2022
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
While working from home over the last year and a half or so, by the end of my work day, let me tell you, I’ve got cabin fever big time. Rain or shine, I NEED to get out and seek out a different environment and interaction with someone other than our household’s sweet but slightly psycho cat.
Not having my own transport over here and not being particularly near to the city, more times than not this involves a ten-minute walk down the long road I am living on to the local supermarket to pick up ingredients for a recipe. How uninspiring, you might think. Well, not necessarily. Over the months I have come across a fair bit of wildlife on this route, for instance. There are sheep in a field at the end of the road that I somehow only just noticed. There are also flocks of pink cockatoos called galahs and multi-coloured parrots flying noisily overhead. One time when rounding the corner two chickens even ran out in front of me and dangerously close to the busy road. I have to admit that at this point cheesy and childish ‘why did the chicken cross the road?’ jokes flooded into my head. Don’t worry, I won’t go as far as telling you one.
(Oh, OK then, I will tell you one. Why did the chicken cross the road? It was trying out a new pair of roller blades. Sorry, but I did warn you they were childish.)
And then, a few days ago, on my almost-daily little walk, I decided to simply see what was on offer at the supermarket to get inspiration for a salad. Not only did I unexpectedly spot and grab some out-of-season peaches but on my way home along this very same ‘uninspiring’ route, what did I find? Only two boxes full to the brim with lemons and limes with big signs stuck on them saying ‘FREE LEMONS’ and ‘FREE LIMES’outside someone’s house, that’s what. Well, of course, I didn’t need telling twice. I delved into the boxes and grabbed a good few of each. Never mind that they were vastly overgrown and misshapen and the limes curiously looked like lemons. All the more juicy! And all the more of a bargain considering that lemons from the supermarket cost one whole dollar here (yes, you read that right – for one single lemon – grrrr).
So add to the lemon and peaches that found their way onto my impromptu ingredients list a fennel bulb, a packet of parmesan cheese I already had in the fridge and some fresh tarragon and dill and I had myself a simple and fresh salad idea. A fennel, peach & parmesan salad.
You might think that tarragon would be an unusual choice of herb to pair with fennel as they both have an aniseed taste, but actually as it’s sweeter it complements it well. Then there’s the complete contrast of the sweet peaches, sharp parmesan and dill. All of these flavours meld together beautifully to make a perfect simple, fresh summer side for a piece of grilled fish or meat. I could also see this going really well with a slice of quiche, a burger or even a rack of ribs. Think posh and extra tasty, juicy coleslaw and you’ve got it about right.
So now I’ve told you all about my interesting ‘boring’ route to the local supermarket, it’s time for me to leave the little café I’m writing in next door to it right now and make my way home. Who knows what I’ll encounter along the way today. There’s currently a bright rainbow in the sky. Maybe there’ll also be one of those ridiculously dangerous snakes I keep hearing that they have over here blocking my path, and I’ll have to fearlessly fend it off before continuing on my way. Or maybe even a bouncing kangaroo …
Fennel, peach & parmesan salad
Ingredients
- 1 bulb of fennel, sliced into thin rounds. (reserve some of the green fronds for decoration)
- 2 peaches, washed and sliced into slivers (skin on)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, I used grated but I think chunkier slivers/flakes would be better
- a small bunch of dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon
Instructions
- Toss together the fennel and peach slices, herbs and parmesan. Reserve a few of the herbs for garnishing.
- Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice and toss through the salad. Garnish the salad with the reserved herbs and fennel fronds.
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you enjoyed this post! You can subscribe to receive posts directly to your inbox by entering your email address in the box at the bottom of this page or at the top of the sidebar on the right.
You can also find more from Scrummy Lane on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram and follow me on Bloglovin! Thanks so much for reading!
Your walk to the market sounds idyllic! Sheep, boxes of lemons, lovely birds? None of those around here! I was just introduced to raw fennel salad by my sister last year…so darn good. I love the idea of adding peaches!
Glad you like it, Liz! I enjoy cooked fennel, too. It’s a great veggie, basically, isn’t it? 🙂
I’d be like you – I’d HAVE to get outside after being stuck inside all day! I often take short walks during my lunch breaks so I can get some fresh air and some natural light!
Sounds like you scored on one of your walks. Can’t beat passing by a huge box of free juicy citrus! Great recipe, Helen. So fresh and so many great flavors!
I used to take those walks when I was working in an office. Even just 5 minutes made me feel a bit more human. Couldn’t believe my luck when I saw those lemons and limes. Haven’t seen any since, unfortunately, but I live in hope!
haha oh gosh, I work from home too and by the end of the day I am like bursting with being ready to talk to someone! My husband comes in and I immediately start yammering on and on … and on. lol And then I cook dinner and continue talking and more talking…
Love this salad – I cannot get enough peaches right now and am looking for lots of different ways to use them!
Glad I’m not the only one! My husband loves to call me ‘talkie toaster’!
Happy that you like the salad. It was lovely and refreshing!
I know what you mean about getting out when you work from home… I need to as well.
This salad looks lovely, gourmet, and so delicious!
Thanks, Pam! 🙂
Love this combination- I would never have thought of it myself! I bet the peaches add the perfect sweetness 😀
Ah, but I bet you would have plenty of ideas that I wouldn’t have, Christine! So glad you like it!
I love your story, and your chicken joke. 🙂 I can’t believe you see cockatoos and parrots on your walk — amazing! This salad looks so fresh and crunchy with a salty parmesan bite! I love fennel, and this sounds like a great way to use it. What a great summer side dish. Pinning. 🙂
I know, Marcie! I was so in awe of those parrots when I first saw them, but they are as common here as sparrows and pigeons are in the UK! They’re just so beautiful.
So glad you like the salad and thanks so much for pinning. 🙂
What a fresh gorgeous salad Helen! Just got some fresh peaches from the orchard yesterday and can’t decide how to use them.
This sounds wonderful!
Thanks, Melanie – I really hope you do try something like this … and enjoy it! It was very tasty and refreshing!
Helen! I also work from home and I know what you mean about cabin fever. If I don’t go out for a walk during the day, I go a bit mad. If I found a free lemon, I would probably die. I can’t live without my lemons!!!! They are the same price in my neck of the woods too so I try to look for the big bags of them. $1 for a lemon is the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Sometimes, the most “uninspiring” routes makes for the most interesting stories! But I hope you don’t have to encounter a snake, because that would be a little too inspiring for me hehe.
Peaches in savoury salads is about the best thing in the world right now -so fresh! I love how you paired the tender peaches with that crunchy fennel. YUM! Salad perfection! Totally inspirational 🙂
I have found myself hanging out in some ridiculous places just to get out, like having a coffee in the the pub next to the supermarket, for example! I find I can write there quite nicely, though. 😉 Definitely #workingfromhomeproblems!
The lemon thing IS ridiculous, isn’t it? Actually, here in Western Australia plenty of people have lemon trees in their gardens, but unfortunately not where I’m living. It would be my ambition to have a lemon tree in my garden, but something tells me that’s not going to happen in the UK.
So happy that you approve of my salad, Allison! Simple but yum, although I say it myself!
This salad looks GORGEOUS and very flavourful! Love, Love, Love! Wonderful dish for summer!
Thank you so much, Olivia. I’m very happy that you like it. Hope you’re having an amazing summer!
Free limes and lemons?? You lucky girl! Limes are like 1 euro each here 🙁
I love hte sound of this salad and all the herbs you used here! And also the parmesan+peach combo – those two are my favorite! This salad looks sooo delish! <3
I know! I couldn’t believe it when I saw those signs! Happy that you like the salad, Consuelo. 🙂