Stuffed fried zucchini blossoms are a delectable appetizer or side dish that tantalizes the taste buds with their unique flavors and textures. Made from delicate zucchini flowers stuffed with a savory filling and then lightly fried, these culinary delights offer a burst of color and a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a culinary novice, this article will guide you through the steps of creating these delightful treats, providing tips and tricks to ensure perfect results every time.
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FRIED CHEESE-STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories appetizer
Time 16m
Yield 8 blossoms
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, water and salt until smooth. Set aside.
- In a small bowl combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, basil, and green onion. Mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons filling into each blossom. Close the blossoms and gently twist the petals to seal.
- In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in about 1 minute.) Dip the stuffed zucchini blossoms in the batter and allow any excess batter to drip off. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Allow the cooked blossoms to drain on paper towels.
- Season with salt and serve with your favorite marinara sauce or vinaigrette.
FRIED BABY ZUCCHINI WITH CHEESE-STUFFED BLOSSOMS
Categories Vegetable Side Fry Vegetarian Quick & Easy Ricotta Zucchini Gourmet Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings (as part of mezedes)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Keeping blossoms attached to zucchini, carefully open blossoms and remove pistil from each. Trim stem ends of zucchini, then, beginning 1/4 inch from blossom end, cut a 2-inch slit lengthwise through center of each zucchini, ending 1/4 inch from stem end (slits will help zucchini cook evenly).
- Stir together cheeses, yolk, and oregano in a small bowl until combined well, then season with pepper. Gently open each blossom and fill with 1 to 2 rounded teaspoons of cheese mixture (depending on size of blossoms), then gently twist end of blossom to enclose filling. (You may have leftover filling, depending on size of blossoms.)
- Heat 1/3 inch oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet until it registers 360°F on thermometer (see cooks' note, below), then fry zucchini (with blossoms attached) in 2 batches, turning once, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per batch. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. (Return oil to 360°F between batches.) Serve zucchini warm or at room temperature.
FRIED STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS
Categories Cheese Vegetable Appetizer Fry Vegetarian
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Directions * To prepare the flowers, clean out dirt or insects from the inside of flowers and remove the stamen. Gently rinse them one-at-a-time and pat dry on towels, being careful not to damage the delicate petals. Cut any long stems to 1 inch. * Put vegetable oil in a heavy bottom cast iron frying pan- about 1 inch deep. Heat oil to 360-365 degrees on a candy thermometer. * In a bowl, combine a good amount of ricotta and the remainder of filling ingredients to taste. Mix well. * Fill a pastry bag (a zip-lock bag with the corner snipped-off would be fine as well) with the cheese mixture. * Slowly and gently, squeeze a small amount of the filling into each flower (don't overfill) and twist the ends of flower closed. Place one-by-one on a plate. * In a large bowl, whisk flour, club soda and salt until combined. Add more club soda to thin if needed and form a thin crepe-like batter. * As soon as the oil is at the desired temperature, gently dip each blossom into the batter. Coat completely. Let the excess batter drain off and place into the hot oil (please be careful not to burn yourself as the hot oil could splatter). * Repeat with each blossom. Work in small batches of 3-4 blossoms at a time. No more than that in the pan, or the oil temp will drop too much and your blossoms will be soggy, not crisp. * Let each blossom fry for 30- 60 seconds and then turn with a small wire strainer. Fry on the other side until golden in color. Remove with the wire strainer, let drain and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. * Season each while still hot with additional salt. * Continue until all blossoms have been fried. Serve immediately. Buon Appetito!
Tips:
- Choose male zucchini blossoms for stuffing, as they have a longer stem and are less likely to contain immature zucchini.
- Gently wash the zucchini blossoms and remove the pistils (the small, spiky structures inside the blossom) with tweezers or a toothpick.
- Use a variety of fillings for your stuffed zucchini blossoms. Popular fillings include ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, herbs, and vegetables.
- To prevent the filling from leaking out, dip the stuffed zucchini blossoms in a light batter before frying.
- Fry the stuffed zucchini blossoms in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the stuffed zucchini blossoms immediately, while they are still hot and crispy.
Conclusion:
Stuffed zucchini blossoms are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are a great way to use up fresh zucchini blossoms and make a unique and flavorful meal. The delicate flavor of the zucchini blossoms pairs well with a variety of fillings, and they can be fried, baked, or grilled. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or an elegant dish for a special occasion, stuffed zucchini blossoms are a great option.
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