Squash plants grow gendered flowers. When pollination is complete, and little zucchini appear at the base of the female flower, the male flowers can be harvested and cooked (hurrah!). A few nights ago my upstairs neighbors (this is Mariah) helped me invent this delish dish.
Fried Zucchini Blossoms
1. Gently open each flower and remove the pistil with pollen.
2. In a bowl, mix a cup of ricotta cheese, a handful of pinenuts, a sprinkling of nutmeg and/or cinnamon, and a peach each of salt and pepper.
3. In a second bowl, wisk together three eggs.
4. In a third and final bowl, pour about 3/4 cup of bread crumbs.
5. In a large frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Stuff the zucchini blossoms with as much ricotta as they can hold without bursting (about 1 tablespoon or less), and twist the petals shut. They will not hold perfectly, but they should be tacky enough to keep closed.
6. Dip each flower in the egg mixture, and then roll in breadcrumbs. Fry about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until just browned.
They are bested served hot. We ate ours with a little hot sauce.
