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A typical Mediterranean dish: Fried Zucchini Flowers or Squash blossom in English, and in France they are called Beignets de Fleurs de Courgette. You can find different recipes for the batter as well as the filling, I use a simple batter flavoured with saffron and fill them with mozzarella and ham.
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Where to find zucchini flowers
Zucchini flowers are a common ingredient in Mediterranean countries during the summer where they are in season. You can find them in most supermarkets, but they can be expensive and you have to use them the same day.
That is why I like to have my own zucchini plants in my vegetable garden. I can pick them early in the morning on the same day that I want to prepare them.
I pick them early in the morning as the flower is still open and I can check that no insects are inside. After only a few hours the flower will close.
If you want to know more about how to create your own vegetable garden you can read the article series on How to plant a vegetable garden on my friend Beth’s blog Binky Culinary Carnival.
Which flower to use
There are two types of flowers, the male which is the flower that pollinates, and the female which is the flower that yields the zucchini.
- The female flower is the one attached to the zucchini, it has a large stem inside.
- The male flower has a small stem and there is more room to insert the filling.
You can use either flower but for frying, I prefer to use the male ones.
How to clean the flowers
Zucchini flowers are easy to clean as the entire flower is edible:
- Cut the flower sepals (the small green mini leaves that covers the base of the petals)
- Open the flower to make sure there are no insects inside
- Wash the flowers with running water
- Lay them upside down in a colander to drain out any water from inside the flower
A delicate but crunchy batter
There are many versions of fried zucchini flowers where flowers are coated with different types of batter.
I have tasted batters made with eggs, herbs, even breadcrumbs. Personally, I prefer to keep it simple as the flowers have a delicate flavour which could be overwhelmed by stronger ingredients.
I use a simple tempura batter with equal parts of water and flour, and 1 tbsp of semolina flour to add some crunch.
Besides salt, I add saffron. As saffron is pollen, it enhances their flowery flavour.
How to make saffron batter
- In a bowl mix all the dry ingredients: the 2 flours, salt and the saffron
- Gradually add the water
- Mix until you have a smooth batter
The fillings
Use a mild, but not watery cheese such as cubes of mozzarella for cooking. Fresh watery mozzarella will leak water into the frying oil, producing dangerous sparks.
You can also add a small piece of cooked ham or a slice of boiled egg.
For fillings, I also recommend ricotta cheese and parmesan, provola, caciocavallo or salami.
Making the fried zucchini flowers
- Once the flowers are dry, add the fillings inside the flower
- Close the top
- Dip the flower in the batter
- Deep fry the flowers
- Turn them to cook evenly
- Once cooked, lay them over a paper towel to absorb the excess oil
- Serve immediately while they are warm and crispy
Tips for making the best-fried zucchini flowers
- Use fresh flowers, best if picked that same morning
- Use the male flower as it has a smaller stem
- When you make the batter, mix the flour with the water gradually so you don’t create flour lumps
- Serve immediately
More recipes with edible flowers
If you are interested in edible flower recipes, I have many here for you. You can find sweet as well as savoury recipes. Make sure you pick flowers that are safe to eat. Even if they are edible, they should not have been treated with chemicals.
Savoury recipes:
- Italian zucchini frittata with flowers
- Roast Pumpkin Soup With Edible Flowers Capucines
- Fresh Tomato Soup Salmorejo With Edible Flowers Tulbaghia
- Chayote Squash Mousse with Mussels With Edible Flowers Begonia
- Seafood Chowder Recipe Served In A Bread Bowl With Edible Flowers Agastache
Sweet recipes:
If you are making this Fried Zucchini Flowers, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
📋Fried Zucchini Flowers Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 zucchini flowers
- 1 cup flour all purpose
- 1 tbsp semolina flour this is the secret to make them extra crispy
- 1 cup fresh water
- 2 sachets saffron
- vegetable oil for frying
- mozzarella and ham optional for the filling
Instructions
- Wash the flowers making sure there are no insects inside. Cut the sepal but leave the pedicel of male flowers. Let them drain upside down.
- Once they are dry, add the fillings inside the flower. In the meantime heat the oil for frying at medium heat.
- In a bowl mix the 2 flours with the saffron, then add water and salt
- and whisk until combined
- Dip the flowers in the mix
- Making sure they are all coated with the batter
- Deep fry the flowers
- Turn them to cook evenly
- Once cooked, lay them over a paper towel to absorb the excess oil
- Serve immediately so they will be warm and crispy
Video
Notes
- Use fresh flowers, best if picked that same morning
- Use the male flower as it has a smaller stem
- When you make the batter, mix the flour with the water gradually so you don’t create flour lumps
- Serve immediately
Emily
I absolutely adore fried zucchini flowers and they are so fun to make. These look so delicious.
Laura
Thank you, Emily, they are our summer special
Elizabeth
These sound super amazing! I’ve never tried eating courgette flowers before, but I’ve heard they’re lovely!
Laura
They are, just make sure you cook them the same day you buy them. Thank you Elizabeth
Valentina
Oh how tasty! Love that there’s saffron in the batter! Brilliant!
Laura
thank you, simple but perfect match
Jovita @ Yummy Addiction
Well, that’s something I have never tried before. These zucchini flowers look amazing!
Laura
They are delicious if you try let me know what you think. Thank you for stopping by
Natalie
This is just amazing! I never tried zucchini flowers before and now I absolutely MUST. Saffron sounds so flavorful in this one.
Laura
Thank you Natalie, I am sure you will love it
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
These look delicious! I’ve seen zucchini flowers at the farmer’s market but have never actually tried them before.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
I have never had zucchini flowers. I can’t believe I haven’t. Your fried flowers makes me want to run out to the nearest neighbor with a garden and steal some. I haven’t seen them in a store, so since I won’t take them from my neighbor, I’ll try the farmers market. Delish!
Moira
Hi Laura!
I cooked the zucchini flowers but the got to much of oil. I put them in a paper towel but still they have oil a lot.
Could you tell me any hints?
Thnx
Laura
Hi Moira, sorry to hear that. Did you make sure that oil was nice and hot? What flour did you use? I planted some zucchini in my garden and I am planning to make a video for this recipe. I hope it will help
Beth Neels
I planted a specific variety that is known for it’s large blooms, in hopes that I could make your fried zucchini flowers, so far I don’t have any large enough to use though. Hopefully soon! Thanks for the shout out for my gardening posts, Laura. I am glad you liked them!
Laura
Hope you will soon. I love your posts on gardening. They are very helpful