In the vibrant tapestry of Italian cuisine, there exists a dish that embodies the essence of summer's bounty: Zucchini Blossoms Stuffed with Tomatoes and Parmesan. This culinary delight, known as "Fiori di Zucca Ripieni" in Italian, is a symphony of flavors and textures that captures the freshness of garden-grown zucchini blossoms, the sweetness of ripe tomatoes, and the savory richness of Parmesan cheese.
This article presents a collection of recipes that explore the diverse culinary expressions of zucchini blossoms stuffed with tomatoes and Parmesan. From classic Italian preparations to innovative interpretations, each recipe offers a unique take on this delightful dish.
One recipe introduces the traditional method of stuffing zucchini blossoms with a mixture of tomatoes, Parmesan, and herbs, creating a savory and aromatic filling that pairs perfectly with the delicate flavor of the blossoms. Another recipe adds a touch of elegance by wrapping the stuffed blossoms in prosciutto and baking them until golden brown, resulting in a crispy and flavorful appetizer.
For those seeking a lighter option, a recipe showcases a refreshing salad featuring zucchini blossoms stuffed with tomatoes and Parmesan, tossed with mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette, and toasted pine nuts. This vibrant and colorful salad is a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats or fish.
Vegetarians will delight in a recipe that transforms zucchini blossoms into a hearty main course. Zucchini blossoms are stuffed with a combination of tomatoes, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and herbs, then baked until tender and golden brown. Served over a bed of roasted vegetables or pasta, this dish delivers a satisfying and flavorful meal.
The article concludes with a sweet variation of the classic recipe, featuring zucchini blossoms stuffed with a mixture of tomatoes, Parmesan, and ricotta cheese, then dusted with cinnamon sugar and fried until crispy. This unique dessert offers a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors that is sure to impress.
Whether you are a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this collection of recipes provides a culinary journey that celebrates the versatility and deliciousness of zucchini blossoms stuffed with tomatoes and Parmesan.
STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS
One of the great joys in life for me and my wife are stuffed zucchini blossoms. We were first introduced to these delicious little bites of heaven on our first visit to Rome and have enjoyed them ever since.
Provided by Chef Dennis Littley
Categories Appetizer
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- mix all the ingredients together and place in small pastry bag, or a ziplock bag with an end snipped off.
- open one end of the blossom gently and squeeze a small amount of cheese into the blossom. Due not overfill, you want enough to almost fill the blossom not to make it bulge.
- Refrigerate the blossoms for about 10-15 minutes while you get the egg mixture together.
- Lightly beat the eggs and add in milk, flour, cheese, and basil. Mix well. Egg Mixture should be about pancake mix thickness. If the mix is too thick the egg coating will be to thick and if its too thin it will run off.
- Heat a large sauté pan and then add about 1/4 inch of cooking oil to the pan.
- Dredge Zucchini Blossom in egg mixture, shed any excess egg and place into hot oil, continue the process till you fill the pan.
- Fry each side of the Blossom until golden brown, about two minutes on each side, the second side may cook faster, keep an eye on them.
- Place finished blossom on paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
- Place blossoms on serving tray and season with grated Romano cheese, sea salt and black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 71 kcal, Carbohydrate 3 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 53 mg, Sodium 95 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS STUFFED WITH TOMATOES AND PARMESAN
Categories Cheese Tomato Vegetable Appetizer Side Bake Parmesan Zucchini Spring Bon Appétit Sugar Conscious Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 15x10x2-inch oval baking dish with 1 tablespoon oil. Heat 5 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add breadcrumbs and thyme and stir until breadcrumbs are lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in tomatoes, cheese, eggs, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Fill zucchini blossoms with breadcrumb mixture, using about 2 teaspoons for small blossoms and 1 tablespoon for large blossoms (be careful not to tear blossoms). Sprinkle any remaining breadcrumb mixture over baking dish. Place zucchini atop breadcrumbs in dish. Drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons oil over. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
- Bake until zucchini are tender, about 30 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
TOMATO STUFFED ZUCCHINI
"This is one of our favorite vegetable dishes and a good way to use summer squash," says Marilyn Newcomer of Sun City, California. "It has such a nice Italian flavor that sometimes I double or triple the dish and serve it to company. It can be fixed ahead and warmed up at dinnertime."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 40m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Place zucchini in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover and cook for 2-4 minutes or until tender. Drain., In a small bowl, combine the tomato, Monterey Jack cheese, parsley, salt, garlic powder, oregano and pepper. Spoon into zucchini shells. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. , Place in an 8-in. square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 79 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 259mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS
For a beautiful summery treat, it's hard to top delicate zucchini flowers stuffed with a creamy filling and then lightly fried until crisp and golden. Try to find a good-quality whole-milk ricotta from an Italian deli or specialty food store. The upgrade is worth it here.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Prepare the zucchini blossoms for stuffing by gently opening the leaves and pinching out the stamen inside each flower. Set the blossoms aside.
- For the filling, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Transfer to a sandwich-size resealable plastic bag and snip a small corner from one point at the bottom.
- Open the leaves of a blossom and pipe in about 1 tablespoon of filling (don't overfill). Gently twist the top of the blossom to enclose the filling. Repeat with the remaining zucchini blossoms and filling.
- Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet and heat to 360 degrees F. (If you don't have an oil thermometer, you'll know the oil is ready if you drop in a scrap of bread and it sizzles on contact and begins to brown after a few seconds.) Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
- For the batter, whisk the flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the seltzer to make a smooth batter.
- When the oil is ready, dip the zucchini flowers in the batter one at a time, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl. Add as many as will fit in the skillet without crowding. Fry, turning once, until the batter is light, crisp and golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon to the lined baking sheet to drain and repeat with the remaining blossoms.
- Serve warm with marinara for dipping.
STUFFED ZUCCHINI WITH PARMESAN
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds, forming a shallow cavity. Finely grated one of the seeded zucchini into a bowl, salt and set aside. Liberally sprinkle the other zucchini shells with salt and place cut-side down on paper towels while preparing the filling.
- 2. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Lightly squeeze the grated zucchini to remove the excess moisture and add to the onions and peppers. Cook until the mixture dries slightly. Remove from the heat, stir in the panko, cheese, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cool slightly.
- 3. Wipe the salt from the zucchini and dry as thoroughly as possible with paper towels. Divide the filling among the zucchini halves, mounding them slightly down the center. Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake until the zucchini softened and the tops brown, about 20 minutes. Carefully transfer zucchini to a platter and serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 242, Fat 14 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Cholesterol 26 milligrams, Sodium 325 milligrams, Carbohydrate 21 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 11 grams
ZUCCHINI PARMESAN
This is a simple layered casserole with three elements: roasted zucchini, a really good homemade tomato sauce and Parmesan. Roasting, rather than frying the zucchini, allows you to cut down on olive oil and time.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, lunch, casseroles, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- If you have a food mill, quarter tomatoes. If not, peel, seed and chop them. (See step 5.)
- To make tomato sauce, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and add tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar and basil sprigs. Increase heat to medium-high. When tomatoes are bubbling briskly, stir and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until tomatoes have cooked down and are beginning to stick to pan, 15 to 25 minutes, depending on consistency. Remove basil sprigs; taste and adjust seasoning.
- Heat oven to 450 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment. Trim ends off zucchini and cut in half crosswise, then into lengthwise slices, about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Season on both sides with salt and pepper and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Arrange zucchini slices on baking sheets in one layer and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Roast for 12 minutes, until lightly browned and easily pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 375 degrees.
- If using a food mill, put sauce through medium blade. If not, pulse sauce in a food processor fitted with steel blade until just coarsely puréed. Stir in chopped basil.
- To assemble the dish, oil a 2-quart gratin with olive oil. Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce over bottom of dish. Arrange a third of the zucchini in an even layer over tomato sauce. Spoon a third of remaining sauce over zucchini and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Repeat with 2 more layers, ending with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Drizzle on remaining tablespoon olive oil. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbling and browned on the top and edges. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 206, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 862 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams
STUFFED ZUCCHINI WITH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA
Serve these zucchini boats with garlic-marinated chicken or spicy sausage for an Italian-inspired meal.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Quick & Easy Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Halve zucchini lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Place, cut side up, on sheet and season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, oregano, and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Top zucchini with tomato mixture. Bake until zucchini is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Heat broiler, with rack in top position. Top zucchini with mozzarella. Broil until cheese is brown and bubbling, 1 to 2 minutes; serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 128 g, Fat 8 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 9 g
Tips:
- Choose the right zucchini blossoms: Select male zucchini blossoms, as they are larger and have a longer stem, making them easier to stuff. Look for blossoms that are fully open, with a deep yellow color and no signs of wilting or damage.
- Prepare the blossoms carefully: Remove the stamen from inside the blossom by gently pulling it out. Be careful not to tear the blossom or remove too much of the pistil, as this can affect the flavor and texture.
- Use fresh, flavorful ingredients: The filling for stuffed zucchini blossoms should be made with high-quality ingredients. Use ripe, juicy tomatoes, flavorful herbs, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Avoid using pre-packaged or processed ingredients, as they can compromise the taste of the dish.
- Don't overstuff the blossoms: When stuffing the zucchini blossoms, be careful not to overfill them, as this can make them difficult to seal and may cause them to burst during cooking. Aim to fill each blossom with just enough filling to create a small mound in the center.
- Cook the blossoms until golden brown: When frying or baking the stuffed zucchini blossoms, cook them until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, while the filling remains tender and juicy on the inside. This usually takes a few minutes on each side when frying, or about 15-20 minutes in the oven.
Conclusion:
Stuffed zucchini blossoms are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. With their delicate flavor and beautiful presentation, they are sure to impress your guests. Whether you choose to fry or bake them, stuffed zucchini blossoms are a unique and flavorful culinary experience that is sure to delight your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients, follow the tips provided, and get ready to savor this delectable dish!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love