Sugar-coated fennel seeds

I have seen these around town, especially in Indian and Middle-Eastern food stores, but wasn't quite sure what they were and what to do with them. Then good old Food Safari came to the rescue. Maeve was snacking on a bowl of them during one of the episodes (and I wish I could remember which one, because the SBS website doesn't help.) Iknow it's generally an Indian thing though. The deal is that they freshen the breath after a meal, particularly a spicy flavour-filled one, and help with digestion. If you are into herbs, fennel also does about a million other awesome healthy things for your body, including relieve bloating, gas, period pain and other assorted womanly issues.

So I got me a packet: about a buck fifty for a big packet at the Indian grocer, and ate a couple after dinner. And they ARE tasty and I DO feel well-digested. And I like having a new thing in the kitchen to think about, especially something that makes me feel connected to another country's food heritage. If only I looked good in a sari.