Coniglio in Porchetta — Rabbit Stuffed with Wild Fennel and Herbs

Marche — the wild fennel preparation of rabbit is found throughout the central Italian hills. The Marchigiani version is most associated with the Macerata and Ancona provinces, where wild fennel grows abundantly and rabbit is the primary small game animal.

Coniglio in porchetta is the Marchigiani preparation of rabbit cooked 'in the style of porchetta' — boned and stuffed with the classic porchetta filling of wild fennel fronds, garlic, rosemary, liver, and abundant black pepper, then rolled, tied, and either roasted in the oven or braised in white wine. The wild fennel of the Marche hills (finocchio selvatico) is the defining flavour — its anise fragrance perfumes the rabbit meat during the long cooking. The preparation is found throughout central Italy (Lazio, Umbria, and Marche all claim it) but the Marchigiani version uses rabbit and emphasises the wild fennel over other aromatics.

Coniglio in porchetta sliced reveals the spiral of fennel-scented stuffing against the pale rabbit meat — each slice contains all the elements simultaneously. The wild fennel fragrance is dominant and clean; the liver adds savoury depth; the rabbit is mild and slightly sweet. The pan juices, deglazed with white wine, make the best sauce.