Fiori Di Zucca Fritti Classic Italian Fried Zucchini Flowers Recipes

FIORI DI ZUCCHINE: FRIED ZUCCHINI FLOWERS

Steps:

• With a dry dishtowel, gently brush off any dirt on the flower. Do not rinse with water.
• Stuff the zucchini flowers with an anchovy filet and a strip of mozzarella. Gently squeeze the flower petals to seal the stuffing inside.
• For the batter: Mix the eggs, all-purpose flour, and wine together until the consistency is smooth and even.
• Heat up 3 inches of extra-virgin olive oil in a pot with high sides to 350 degrees F.
• Gently coat the stuffed zucchini flowers in the batter. Fry the zucchini flowers in batches in the oil until golden brown. Place them on paper towels to absorb the excess oil, and immediately season with salt. Serve.

FRITTATA DI ZUCCHINE E FIORI DI ZUCCA (ITALIAN ZUCCHINI FRITTATA)

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and parsley stems; cook and stir until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini and salt; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir zucchini blossoms into the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Uncover skillet and cook until moisture evaporates, 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Whisk parsley leaves, eggs, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, and mint together in a bowl. Fold in zucchini mixture from the skillet. Mix well; season with salt and pepper.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Pour in egg mixture and spread evenly across the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes. Prick surface in several places with a fork. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cover; let stand until top is just set, about 5 minutes.
• Invert frittata onto a large plate and slide back into the skillet. Cook over low heat until second side is set, about 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

PASTA AI FIORI DI ZUCCA (PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS)

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water, stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta-cooking water.
• Clean and rinse zucchini blossoms, removing the inner parts (stigma or anthers); coarsely chop the flowers.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; cook and stir garlic in the hot oil until it begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir parsley, saffron, and reserved 1/2 cup of pasta-cooking water into skillet; stir to combine. Add zucchini blossoms and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle cornmeal into mixture and stir constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Gently fold penne pasta into zucchini blossom mixture and top with Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.