Fresh Fennel

I have three hands of fresh fennel. I don't know what the proper name is: do I say I have three fresh fennel? Are they bulbs? They look like hands to me. I use fennel seed when I make pizza crust but just fresh fennel. I am stumped. Ideas? Please? I don't want to waste any of our CSA but I am stumped on what to do with this black licorice tasting vegetable? spice? What is it???