This is the time of year when zucchini blossoms are harvested. I love the delicacy, color and flavor of this edible flower.
Zucchini produces both female and male blossoms. The male blossoms appear before the female blossoms and contain pollen, which attracts the bees necessary to pollinate the female blooms. The male blossoms do not produce zucchini, and these are therefore the large yellow blossoms we eat either raw or cooked.
Only female blossoms produce zucchini. The female blooms are seen 5–7 days after the male blooms. They have a swollen ovary at the base of the bloom that looks like a miniature zucchini, which after pollination becomes a zucchini.
There are two zucchini blossom recipes I enjoy preparing for hors d'oeuvres. One has a heavier outer coating, and the second version is dusted with a little rice flour and fried.
Directions
- Beer Batter: Mix the flour and salt together.
- Whisk in the beer or club soda.
- Heat 1–2 inches of oil in a deep frying pot.
- Dredge the blossoms in the batter and fry until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately.
- Rice Flour Alternative: Mix the rice flour and salt. Gently dust the blossoms with the mixture and fry gently in the hot oil. Serve immediately.
