Individual Italian Squash Blossoms

Zucchini Squash Flower Blossoms

If you have a garden overflowing with zucchini or Italian squash (goo-GOOTZ), you probably have see some beautiful golden flower blossoms!  Please don’t toss-out these EDIBLE flowers before  giving them a try!  Pick them fresh, remove stem, stamen, pistil and rinse under cold water and pat-dry! You can add them to tossed green salads, omelets or try the below recipe of pan-fried zucchini blossoms  my grandmother, mom and the family always made for picnics, the beach, as an appetizers, lunch, or just as a snack –with and without fresh mozzarella inside.  Experiment with different types of cheese, such as feta or Gouda! One handwritten recipe I found in my mom’s old recipe book also suggested a stuffing mixture of anchovies, parsley and breadcrumbs! (I tested the anchovy recipe and well let me just say it needs some modifications – which is why i probably never saw it on our table! ) The recipe below on the other hand is always a hit in my house! They barely make it off the plate with the paper towel. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out.

Zucchini and their blossoms growing in my garden!

 

Squash Blossoms at the Produce Market (more costly to buy than grow)
Fresh picked zucchini blossoms from my garden!!!
Zucchini blossoms, eggs, flour, and salt, pepper,grated cheese that appeals to your flavor palate!

 

Ingredients

  • Zucchini flowers about 10-15 with pistil and shot green stem removed
  • Flour, All Purpose, ¾-cup
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Eggs, 2-large
  • Grated cheese, optional about ½- Tablespoon
  • Mozzarella cut into 20 cubes or strips about 1/4 inch each side or into 1/4-inch strips. Enough to place inside blossom.
  • Olive Oil, 2-3 Tablespoons

Instructions:

  • Remove stems, stamen and pistil from squash flower. This is easy. Flowers are delicate so handle with care.
Pinch and pull from the bottom stem of the blossom to remove the pistil, stamen, green sepals (tiny green petals)  and the short stem.
Rinse under cold water. Pat dry on paper towel or clean linen towel.

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Add black pepper and salt to All-Purpose Flour. Set aside

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Beat eggs with a fork. Add grated cheese as desired for extra flavor. Set aside.
Place mozzarella inside each blossom. You can also gently tear the blossom open on one side to put the mozzarella inside and then fold over.

 

 

Coat all sides of flower blossom in flour then dip in the egg.
Dip flour-coated flower blossom in the egg mixture.
Place on a plate, until oil in frying pan is hot.
In a frying pan pour in 2-3 tablespoons of oil to lightly coat the pan. Put on medium heat. Place blossoms in pan. Fry 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown!
Place on paper towel to remove extra oil.
Plate and garnish with a sprinkle of grated cheese and freshly ground pepper. Add basil or parsley and tomato for more color and texture.