Zucchini Flowers are in bloom! (Fiori di Zucca)
Don’t you just love summertime?.. just look at these beautiful zucchini blossoms. These were proudly displayed at a local farmer’s market in NJ and I just couldn’t resist buying a bunch to prepare as a delicious appetizer.
In Italy, you will find zucchini flowers at every farmers market in early summer. Sometimes they have a small zucchini still attached at the end of the flower.. Here in the America, you can either grow your own zucchini plants and harvest the flowers or just ask your local farmer or grocery store manager to get them for you…
When you get them home, just open up the flower, and take out the stamen if you want …not necessary, and then simply stuffed the center with a savory ricotta mixture or a small piece of mozzarella or fontina cheese.
Then, I dip them in a light batter and fry them quickly in a little oil until they are crispy and delicioso!! … Here is the batter recipe:
Batter Recipe
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of ice-cold water
- ice cubes for water.
- In a medium bowl, gently beat one egg until scrambled
- Prepare ice-cold water by combining water and ice cubes in a cup. Using a strainer, measure 1 cup of ice-cold water and add it to the beaten egg. Make sure not to get any ice cubes in batter.
- Add the sifted flour into the bowl with the egg /water mixture and lightly combine into a smooth semi loose batter. Do not over mix.
- The batter is now ready for immediate use… If for some reason the batter won’t be used immediately, place it in the refrigerator to keep it ice-cold until you’re ready to deep fry your flowers.
What a delightful mid day treat or appetizer for your family or friends…Surprise them with something unique and interesting to eat tonight…..bet you can’t eat just one!
Enjoy
Kathleen Barbato….3 Italian Sisters.
