finocchio

salaattifenkoli A fennel cultivar with a bulb-like structure at its base, used as a vegetable; Florence fennel ((taxlink)).
1974, Ali-Bab (author) and Elizabeth Benson (translator), Encyclopedia of Practical Gastronomy, http://books.google.com/books?id=7yg-AQAAIAAJ&q=%22finocchios%22&dq=%22finocchios%22&hl=en&ei=yX-OTo3CFKqviQehxrT3DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBjgK page 41

Finocchios are shoots of the fennel, an odoriferous plant of the Umbelliferae family.

For the first time, finocchio, or Florence fennel, has performed for me as it should and has swollen out into bulbous protrusions at the base of its leaf stalks.

The strong anise odor of finocchio repels many insects from other vegetables.

Also called Florence fennel, finocchio has long been a popular vegetable in Europe but has somehow fallen out of circulation from most American gardens.

On many, a cold freezing night, of temperatures hovering near zero, the finocchios tease and try to encourage Tedesco to join in their warm body orgies.

Not to mention, he and Julie were finocchios; but at least Larry was a smart finocchio.

“Don’ stand next to any finocchios who might try’n grab your best friend,” Vin cracked. Richie roared as Tony made his way to the men’s room.

Salvatore Maranzano: Rumour is you two are a pair of finocchi.

w:Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness: That’s not a rumour; that’s a boast.