Asafoetida, also known as Hing, is a crucial ingredient in Indian vegetarian cooking. Derived from a species of giant fennel, Asafoetida has a unique smell and flavor. It is called for often in Indian cooking, primarily with legumes and dishes featuring vegetables such as cauliflower. While on its own, the smell may strike you as overpowering and somewhat unpleasant; in cooking it mellows out and produces a flavor similar to onion and garlic.