Orange Blossom Zucchini Recipes

FRIED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat about 1/2 inch oil in a wide, deep pan to 375 F. Use a candy or frying thermometer to measure the temperature. No thermometer? Don't worry there are two other easy ways to make sure the oil is hot enough but not too hot: drop a breadcrumb into the oil, it should bob and sizzle in the oil immediately and brown in a few minutes, not immediately; or, stick the wooden handle of a kitchen spoon in the oil, the oil should bubble up around it immediately and steadily, but not violently or spatter. No immediate sizzle and the oil is too cold, too much sizzle and the oil is too hot.
• If you're making cheese-stuffed zucchini blossoms, use a small spoon to tuck about 1 teaspoon of the cheese in each blossom-work it in between the petals very gently so that the petals stay closed. Again, this step is fully optional and one I usually skip so as to keep the focus on the fresh flavor of the blossoms themselves.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat the egg. Beat in the flour and salt to make a thick batter. Whisk in enough of the club soda to make a very thin batter.
• Working with one zucchini blossom at a time, hold each zucchini blossom by its stem and dip it into the batter, moving it as necessary to coat it fully with batter. Lift it out and let excess batter drip off and back into the bowl. Careful place it in the oil and cook, undisturbed, until golden on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn over and cook until golden on the other side, about 2 minutes. Only add as many zucchini blossoms fit in a single layer in the pan without touching so they all have room to cook.
• When the blossoms are done, use a slotted spoon to lift them out of the oil. Quickly drain them on a layer of paper towels, sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

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.