Beautiful and attractive zucchini blossoms grace the late Spring gardens. They grow to extravagance after a soft steady rain. For those who are lucky to have their own gardens, fresh baby zucchini with flowers still attached is a delicacy not to be missed. From time to time, they are available in markets, or on the Italian countryside roads where small farmers sell their produce in booths.
Zucchini flowers are usually done pan-fried with a light batter, or stuffed and fried, or chopped and added in sauce. However, the blossoms are so delicate that their fresh taste can be masked very easily and then lost; what one tastes is the batter instead. The following is a recipe which uses the plancha (hot plate) which retains all the possible freshness from the ingredients.
Baby Zucchini with Flowers a la Plancha Recipe
Ingredients
- baby zucchini with blossoms
- extra virgin olive oil
- coarse sea salt
Directions
- The amount of zucchini depends on how many one can get. The only caution is not to crowd the plancha, if not, the zucchini will be boiled instead of being fried. This recipe yields better outcome for baby zucchini with flowers than only the blossoms.
- Prepare the zucchini. Rinse them well very gently and put them in a big bowl with water to ensure that the earth gets loosened and washed away. Dry them well with paper towels. One can simply leave them on paper towels and let them soak up the excessive water from the zucchini blossoms. Reserve.
- Heat the plancha on high until it smokes.
- Place the baby zucchini with flowers on the plancha carefully. Then add the extra virgin olive oil on top, distributed evenly on all of them. It is highly recommended to use the best oil.
- Use a pincers and turn the zucchini around carefully. They should be ready in five minutes. Do not overcook them. Since they are young, they are delicious even if they are a little undercooked.
- Take them out on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the excess oil.
- Sprinkle coarse sea salt on top and they are ready.
Storing Zucchini Flowers
Though it is recommended to consume the zucchini flowers as soon as possible after they are picked, they do keep quite well in a plastic bag inside the refrigerator.
Quick, Healthy and Easy Recipe without Flour for Baby Zucchini with Flowers
This is a different recipe for those who for different reasons prepare food without flour or with little oil. The taste of the blossoms and the zucchini cannot be fresher. One can finally taste to the full the soft and delicate flowers which has the freshness of the earth, and the natural crispiness of a young fruit. It is an exquisite combination. Moreover, this recipe cannot be easier. As a side dish or as an appetizer, baby zucchini with flowers a la plancha is sure to please all.
Another way to cook baby zucchini with flowers can be read here.
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