If you are growing zucchini in your yard, you will first see the flowers that look like this:
And then you will start seeing the zucchini grow. When you do, you can say, “it’s a girl!” The girls have the flowers at the end and the boys don’t. You can absolutely pick the zucchini when they are young and tender and cook them with the flower attached to the end. Or you can gather the flowers up and cook them separately-yes, they are edible!
To cook zucchini flowers, or blossoms, wash them thoroughly, then dry them and either dip them in batter or flour and fry them in hot olive oil. Sprinkle a little salt and lemon juice or Parmigiano cheese and you’ve got a delicacy to serve!
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:46 am
I also make pancakes out of them. Use about a cup of flour, 1 egg, 1 cup of parm cheese, 1/4 teas of baking powder, salt pepper, milk to make a batter, I don’t measure this I just add till it is a nice pancake batter. then wash flowers, take out the middle, I don’t know what to call it, it is what the pollen is on, and then cut them up with add them to the batter, then then use a tablespoon to make your cakes, the look like silver dollors. and enjoy……
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I just cooked my zucchini flowers - made a battter of flour, eggs, salt/pepper, fresh parsley, a bit of bkg. powder..washed & dried the flowers; I choose to chop them up (after I take the middle and stem off with the little spiny things around the flowers)I mix them in with the batter and fry them up..yum!!! brings back childhood memories..my friend stuffs the whole flower (after removing the pollen thing) she stuffs them with breadcrumbs and cheese…yummy!!!
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I take the flowers and I clean them then you take string cheese ane cut it in two pieces put in the middle of flower make a batter and dip them in it and deep fry. UMO
July 4th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Rachael:
My mother cook them, when I was a boy, any I loved them. when I tell people about it they look at me like I am nuts… I have been looking for a recipes for a long time.
You are the best
Frank
July 7th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I love Rachel Ray!!! I always watch her show, and I’m only 12 years old! My mom is always busy, but when I tell her about her food, she has to try it.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Another way I cook zucchini flowers is to remove stamen and stuff them with a mix of ricotta, grated parmesan, pine nuts and seasoning. Then steam them for a couple of minutes, a nice healthy alternative to frying them. Yummy!!