**Fried Stuffed Squash Blossoms: A Delightful Delicacy Explored**
Discover the delightful flavors of fried stuffed squash blossoms, a culinary gem that marries the delicate beauty of nature with the savory delights of culinary artistry. These blossoms, encased in a crispy golden-brown batter, conceal a symphony of flavors, with savory fillings ranging from creamy cheeses to aromatic herbs and vegetables. Indulge in the classic Italian recipe, where blossoms are stuffed with a medley of ricotta, Parmesan, and herbs, or explore variations that incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, or even edible flowers. Whether served as an appetizer, main course, or delectable snack, fried stuffed squash blossoms promise an unforgettable gastronomic experience. This article presents a collection of recipes that guide you through the art of preparing this exquisite dish, ensuring perfect results every time.
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
BATTER FRIED STUFFED SQUASH BLOSSOMS
Delicate squash blossoms are filled with ricotta and mozzarella. To stuff the squash blossoms easily, spoon the filling into a pastry bag fitted with a coupler, then pipe it directly into each blossom.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place ricotta cheese in a double layer of cheesecloth. Tie up ends, and hang over a bowl to drain. Place in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, or overnight.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and pepper. Slowly add milk to the flour mixture, whisking constantly, until the batter has a slightly thickened and very smooth consistency; set aside.
- Remove ricotta from the cheesecloth, and discard the liquid. In another medium bowl, stir together drained ricotta, mozzarella, marjoram, and parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Gently open the flower petals and, using a small spoon, fill a blossom about 2/3 full with the ricotta mixture. Wrap the petals around the mixture to seal. Using your fingers, gently press the blossom to distribute filling evenly. Repeat, filling all the blossoms.
- In a small saucepan fitted with a deep-frying thermometer, heat olive oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees. Place the stuffed blossoms in the reserved batter until completely coated. Lift out, and gently drag the blossom against the edge of the bowl to remove excess batter. Carefully slip as many blossoms into the hot oil as will comfortably fit without crowding. Fry the blossoms until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon, and transfer to several layers of paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.
Tips:
- Choose male squash blossoms for stuffing, as they have a longer stem and are less likely to contain a developing fruit.
- Rinse the squash blossoms gently under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Remove the pistil from the center of the squash blossom to prevent a bitter taste.
- Use a light hand when stuffing the squash blossoms to avoid tearing the delicate petals.
- Fry the squash blossoms in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the squash blossoms immediately with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Conclusion:
Fried stuffed squash blossoms are a delicious and unique appetizer or side dish that is perfect for any occasion. With their delicate flavor and crispy texture, these squash blossoms are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you see squash blossoms at the market, be sure to pick up a few and give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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