Monica Bhide 
It DOES not taste like licorice! It has a unique and lovely flavor all on its own. Come read and fall in love with fennel just as I did!
Also the article includes a fantastic recipe by the legendary Nathalie Dupree on a fennel-spiced oven-roasted fish.
One of my favorite spices! I just used some whole fennel seeds in oatmeal chocolate cherry almond cookies and it was a great addition.
You don’t need to convince me. Huge fan of fennel!
I Love fennel and this recipe!