**Fried Squash Blossoms with Salsa Verde: A Culinary Delight Explored**
As summer's bounty unfolds its vibrant tapestry, a delicacy emerges from the heart of flourishing squash plants – the delicate and flavorful squash blossoms. These fleeting culinary treasures are encased in a delicate, golden-fried batter, creating a crispy outer shell that yields to a tender and succulent interior, bursting with a symphony of sweet and savory flavors. Paired with a vibrant and herbaceous salsa verde, this dish elevates the humble squash blossom into a culinary masterpiece. In this article, we present a comprehensive guide to preparing this delectable dish, offering two variations of the batter and two unique salsa verde recipes, ensuring a delightful culinary experience that caters to diverse tastes and preferences.
FRIED SQUASH BLOSSOMS WITH SALSA VERDE
Put seasonal squash blossoms to good use with this crispy and flavorful dish from Montagna at the Little Nell chef Ryan Hardy.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Appetizers
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together both flours, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and Pellegrino, adding more Pellegrino as necessary so that batter is a thin consistency. Transfer to refrigerator and keep cold until ready to use.
- Fill a Dutch oven 2 inches high with olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.
- Carefully peel back petals of squash blossoms. Place one piece of mozzarella and half of an anchovy fillet in each. Twist blossom closed and dip in batter to fully coat. Place squash blossoms in hot oil and fry until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and season with salt; serve immediately with salsa verde.
FRIED SQUASH BLOSSOMS
Provided by Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Use your fingers to carefully dig a hole on the side of the zucchini flower, opening it enough to dig out with you pointer the pollen stem that is inside. Gently rinse the flowers under a sprinkle of cold water, paying attention not to damage the thin petals, then lay on a rag and pat dry.
- Fill a piping bag with the ricotta cheese and pipe 2 to 3 tablespoons of the ricotta into each flower. Twist the petals to close tightly so the cheese doesn't escape during frying.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, parsley, a couple of generous pinches of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Slowly start pouring the beer into the mix, using a whisk or a fork to make the batter; mix to eliminate any lumps.
- Add the vegetable oil to the bottom of a heavy skillet until it comes up the sides 2 inches, making sure the oil is not more than halfway up the sides. Heat the vegetable oil until hot.
- Dip the filled flowers through the batter then carefully add to the hot oil. Fry, flipping halfway through frying, until the blossoms are golden and crisp, 2 minutes.
- Remove and place on a large dish lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt to taste while still hot.
FRIED SQUASH BLOSSOMS
I came across this recipe and thought it sounded like and interesting way to use large squash blossoms if you are lucky enough to have some extras. Recipe source: Coyote Cafe
Provided by ellie_
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a bowl of an electric mixer blend together cheese, sour cream and marjoram. Put mixture into a pastry bag and chill for a few minutes.
- Stuff the squash blossoms with the cheese mixture.
- Mix together eggs and water in a pie pan and set aside.
- In a seperate pie pan sift together flour, cornstarch, cumin, coriander, salt, chile powder and cinnamon.
- Dip each squash blossom int the egg wash and then in the flour mixture.
- Heat up oil to 340-degrees in fryer or large skillet suitable for deep frying.
- Deep fry squash blossoms until light brown (2 minutes), drain on paper towels.
- Arrange blossoms on a platter and serve with your favorite salsa.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2652.5, Fat 267.1, SaturatedFat 66.7, Cholesterol 262.6, Sodium 1452.8, Carbohydrate 35.4, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 2.5, Protein 36.6
FRIED STUFFED SQUASH BLOSSOMS
If you have a garden and you planted zucchini, you will have an abundance of squash blossoms. These are just amazing, with that tangy goat cheese filling and that batter: so simple, light, and crisp.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Zucchini
Time 1h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice-cold water. Drop squash blossoms into the boiling water until slightly wilted, 30 to 45 seconds; transfer immediately into the cold water to chill. Remove to paper towels to drain.
- Mix goat cheese, egg yolk, Gruyere cheese, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl; stir until smooth. Spoon filling into a heavy, resealable 1-quart plastic bag, squeeze out the air, and seal the bag. Cut a small corner off the bag.
- Gently insert the cut corner of the bag all the way to the bottom of the open end of a blossom and pipe about 1 tablespoon of filling inside. Pick up petals and drape them up over the filling, covering filling completely. Fold any excess petals over the top of the filled blossom to keep them out of the way. Refrigerate filled squash blossoms until cheese is set and firm, at least 30 minutes.
- Combine self-rising flour and cornstarch in a mixing bowl; whisk in ice-cold water, a little at a time, until batter is smooth and has the thickness of pancake batter.
- Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1 inch into a heavy skillet (such as a cast iron pan) and place over medium heat. Heat oil until a thermometer placed into the oil, not touching the bottom, reads 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). A drop of batter carefully dripped into the oil should sizzle immediately.
- Remove squash blossoms from refrigerator and dust lightly with all-purpose flour on all sides. Shake off excess flour and dip blossoms in batter. Let excess batter drip off.
- Gently lay coated squash blossoms in the hot oil on their sides; cook about 6 at a time until pale golden brown, 1 minute on the first side and 30 seconds to 1 minute on the remaining sides. Let cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 156.2 calories, Carbohydrate 13.3 g, Cholesterol 30.7 mg, Fat 9.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 214.3 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
Tips:
- Choose male squash blossoms for frying, as they have a more delicate flavor and don't contain the small squash inside.
- Gently rinse the blossoms under cool water to remove any dirt or debris, taking care not to damage the delicate petals.
- Carefully remove the pistils from inside the blossoms using a pair of tweezers or your fingers, as they can have a slightly bitter taste.
- To create a light and crispy batter, use a combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder, and season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Dip the blossoms in the batter and fry them in hot oil until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve the fried squash blossoms immediately with a flavorful dipping sauce, such as salsa verde, marinara, or a simple vinaigrette.
- For a more flavorful filling, stuff the squash blossoms with a mixture of ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, herbs, and spices before frying.
- Experiment with different fillings, such as crab, shrimp, or vegetables, to create unique and delicious variations of fried squash blossoms.
Conclusion:
Fried squash blossoms are a delightful and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or even a main course. With their delicate flavor and crispy texture, they are a true culinary treat. Whether you prefer them stuffed with a savory filling or simply dipped in a flavorful sauce, fried squash blossoms are a delicious way to enjoy this seasonal delicacy. So, gather your ingredients, heat up your oil, and get ready to indulge in this delightful culinary experience!
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