Zucchini Blossoms

Hi
Some of you may be familiar with eating squash flowers and others may think I've lost my mind.  Believe me, they're delicious.  They are a real treat and the reason I plant zucchini in my garden!!  Yes, I love the squash, but the real delight is when I can pick the flowers and fry them.  It brings me right back to my grandmother's kitchen when I was a child.  I go back there a lot in my mind............

You can pick your own flowers or you can buy them at an Italian food store.  I've bought them at Liuzzi's Market and the Natural Food Market, both in North Haven and both worth the trip.   Whether you pick or buy them, make sure you wash them when you get ready to use them.  They will last, uncooked, up to a week in the refrigerator if you wrap them in a wet paper towel.  When ready to fry, wash them and remove any large stamen.  Little ants LOVE these flowers as much as we do so make sure they're cleaned well.  Place them on a paper towel and let them air dry. 

This is one of those recipes that you need to determine the amount of ingredients based on how many flowers you are frying.  For the amount above I used the following:

2 eggs

1/2 cup whole milk

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt 

1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a bowl, mix together the egg, milk and cheese.  Stir - mixture should be a bit thick but you should still be able to dip flowers into mixture. 

In a plastic bag mix flour, salt and pepper.  Heat a frying pan and put enough oil in it to cover the bottom.  Put a few flowers in the bag and shake so that flowers are covered with flour mixture.  Remove and dip into

egg mixture.  Cover completely with egg mixture and fry for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until lightly brown.  Repeat steps until all flowers are cooked.  Place the cooked flowers on a paper towel to remove excess oil.  When ready to serve sprinkle with a small amount of Parmesan cheese. 

** a tip - I usually fry one first.  Let it cool and taste it to make sure everything is seasoned properly. 

Don't they look yummy!!!  I hope you try this recipe.  It's really easy once you get the flowers.  Finding them is probably the hardest part. 

Enjoy!!

Love,

Beth