Best Zucchini Blossoms With Mimosa Vinaigrette Recipes

CRISPY ZUCCHINI OR PUMPKIN BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, basil and Parmesan cheese. Mix in water and eggs until smooth.
• Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, dip blossoms in the batter to coat, and gently place a few at a time into the hot oil. Fry on each side until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels.

RICOTTA-STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WITH PANZANELLA

Steps:

• For the panzanella: Combine the vinegar, 1 cup water, the salt, sugar and garlic in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid and shake, shake, shake to combine. Add the onions and cucumbers, shake again, and let sit for at least 1 hour. (You're making pickles here, and this step can totally be done ahead of time-like yesterday!)
• Put the bread in a large bowl with 1/2 to 1 cup water to soften. Squeeze and knead the bread with your hands, and then let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Squeeze out any excess water from the bread again, put the bread back in the bowl, and crumble it through your fingers. Toss in the tomatoes, add the pickled onions and cucumbers (strain these out and reserve the liquid), and stir to combine. Add the basil and some finishing oil; taste it to make sure it's delicious. Sprinkle in a few drops of the pickling liquid or a bit more oil if needed. Reserve.
• For the blossoms: Wiggle your finger into the blossom down to the base, where the flower meets the stem, and carefully break off and remove the stamen (be gentle, you don't want to rip through the blossom while doing this). Repeat with all the blossoms.
• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmigiano and parsley and season with salt. Taste and re-season if needed. Put the ricotta mix into a pastry bag, carefully insert the tip of the bag into the flower and fill. Then gently close your hand around the flower to secure it. Place the stuffed blossom on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining flowers.
• Pour peanut oil into a large saucepan over medium-high heat; the oil should come 1 1/2 to 2 inches up the sides of the pan. While the oil heats, set up your drying situation next to the stove by putting a couple layers of paper towels on a baking sheet. To see if the oil is hot enough, drop a bit of flour into it. If it sizzles, you're good to go. If the oil begins to smoke, it's too hot, so reduce the heat.
• Combine the flour and wine in a large bowl to make a very loose batter. Start with 3/4 cup of the wine and add more if needed.
• Working in batches, dip each blossom in the batter to coat it, and then gently put each blossom in the oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Let the blossoms cook until they turn color but stay nice and crispy on the outside, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the blossoms from the oil with a slotted spoon or fish spatula, put them on the paper towels and immediately sprinkle with salt.
• Divide the reserved panzanella among serving plates and top each with 2 crispy blossoms.

ZUCCHINI BLOSSOM QUESADILLA

Steps:

• In a medium skillet over medium heat melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Cook the onions and jalapenos until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the zucchini blossoms, salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the flowers are wilted, about 5 minutes more. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine 3 cheeses. Lay the tortillas out on a counter. Divide the cheese mixture into 6 portions and sprinkle one portion over half of each tortilla.
• Divide the zucchini mixture into 6 portions and arrange evenly over the cheese. Fold over each tortilla to enclose the filling. Melt the two remaining tablespoons of butter. Place the dry griddle or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Brush one side of a quesadilla with melted butter and place buttered side down in the pan. Cook until very light golden , about 1 minute. Brush the uncoated side with butter and flip over. Cook until the other side is golden, and transfer to a baking sheet. When all the quesadillas are browned, transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake ten minutes, until the cheese begins to ooze. Serve hot, whole or cut into wedges.

ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS WITH BOURSIN AND FRESH TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Rinse blossoms and trim a little of the hard stems.
• Spray a broiler-safe plate with cooking spray.
• Fill blossoms with cheese, gently close and pat into shape. Place on broiler-safe plate.
• Brush with olive oil. Broil until cheese melts and blossoms turn crisp, 5-10 minutes.
• Serve with tomato vinaigrette in center and between. Very very pretty.

ZUCCHINI, FETA AND SQUASH BLOSSOM PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and liberally season with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
• While the pasta cooks, heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Heat the butter and olive oil until the butter melts. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the corn and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn has softened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and reduce the heat to low.
• Add the pasta, squash blossoms and chopped basil to the skillet. Stir together, adding the reserved cooking water, if the mixture looks too dry. Add the feta and stir through. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or pepper, if needed.
• Scoop into a large shallow bowl and garnish with basil leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.