Best Zucchini Blossoms With Burrata And Tapenade Recipes

KILLER APP: BURRATA-STUFFED SQUASH BLOSSOMS WITH OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Arrange the baguette slices on a cookie sheet, and generously brush them with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Toast the baguette for about 10 minutes, or until light-golden brown and slightly crisp.
• Add the olives, anchovies, garlic, rosemary, and lemon zest to the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until coarsely chopped and mixed together. Drizzle in the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and pulse until a cohesive paste forms.
• Make a lengthwise slit from base to tip in each squash blossom, and stuff with about 1 tablespoon burrata; pinch closed. Arrange the squash blossoms on a platter, drizzle them with olive oil, and generously sprinkle with salt. Present alongside a small bowl filled with tapenade and the crostini.
• To assemble a crostini, spread a thin layer of tapenade on the toasted bread, and top with a squash blossom.
• Look for squash blossoms at farmers markets, gourmet grocers, and even Mexican specialty markets.
• Swap out a high-quality store-bought olive tapenade, such as The Gracious Gourmet, for an even faster appetizer.

ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WITH BURRATA AND TAPENADE

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine olives, anchovy, garlic, rosemary and lemon zest. Using the pulse button, process until coarsely chopped and well blended. Continue to process, slowly adding 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in each blossom. Spoon about 1 tablespoon burrata and 1/2 teaspoon tapenade into each blossom (you may not use all of the cheese or tapenade). Pinch closed. Transfer blossoms to a platter. Drizzle generously with oil and sprinkle with salt.

FRIED CHEESE-STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

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.

ZUCCHINI FRITTATA WITH BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• In a bowl whisk together the eggs, add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and salt and pepper to taste, and whisk the mixture until it is combined well. In a 12-inch non-stick skillet sauté the zucchini in 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately high heat, stirring until it is softened and transfer it with a slotted spoon to a small bowl. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet and in it cook the onion and the bell pepper with salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring, until the vegetables are softened. Add the garlic and the thyme and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the zucchini, pour in the egg mixture, and arrange the zucchini blossoms decoratively on the surface.
• Preheat the broiler. Cook the frittata over moderate heat, without stirring, for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edge is set but the center is still soft, and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan over the top. (If the skillet handle is plastic, wrap it in a double thickness of foil.) Broil the frittata under the broiler about 4 inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Let the frittata cool in the skillet for 5 minutes, run a thin knife around the edge, and slide the frittata onto a serving plate. Cut the frittata into wedges and serve it warm or at room temperature.