Prepare cake pan: Lightly oil pan and line bottom and side with a large round of wax paper, pleating sides and trimming to fit. Lightly oil paper. Line side with a 2-inch-wide strip of wax paper long enough to wrap around inside of pan to cover pleats, then lightly oil.
Make candied fennel: Cut fennel bulb lengthwise with slicer into enough 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 9) to cover bottom of cake pan.
Cover fennel with cold water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Drain fennel and set aside. Add sugar, water (3/4 cup), zest, and fennel seeds to saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Add fennel slices and very gently simmer until tender and translucent and liquid is syrupy, about 40 minutes. Lift fennel slices out with a fork and arrange decoratively in bottom of cake pan. If you have more than 1/3 cup syrup, boil to reduce; if less, add water. Cool syrup slightly, then pour (through a fine-mesh sieve if desired) over fennel.
Make cake: Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in zest.
At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, and mixing until just combined. Gently spoon batter over topping, spreading evenly.
Bake until cake is golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool cake in pan 15 minutes, then invert onto a plate and continue to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Cooks' note: Cake is best the day it is made but keeps, wrapped in plastic wrap, at room temperature 3 days.

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Nutrition Facts

Per Serving Per 100 g

Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories	302.84 Kcal (1268 kJ)
Calories from fat	116.67 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	12.96g	20%
Cholesterol	76.87mg	26%
Sodium	339.6mg	14%
Potassium	266.22mg	6%
Total Carbs	43.06g	14%
Sugars	22.05g	88%
Dietary Fiber	1.7g	7%
Protein	4.44g	9%
Vitamin C	3.6mg	6%
Vitamin A	0.1mg	5%
Iron	0.9mg	5%
Calcium	74.4mg	7%

Amount Per 100 g
Calories	238.28 Kcal (998 kJ)
Calories from fat	91.8 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	10.2g	20%
Cholesterol	60.48mg	26%
Sodium	267.21mg	14%
Potassium	209.47mg	6%
Total Carbs	33.88g	14%
Sugars	17.35g	88%
Dietary Fiber	1.34g	7%
Protein	3.5g	9%
Vitamin C	2.8mg	6%
Vitamin A	0.1mg	5%
Iron	0.7mg	5%
Calcium	58.5mg	7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

salty
savory
bitter
sweet

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