Discover delicious zucchini flower recipes, from crispy fried zucchini blossoms to savory stuffed zucchini flower, perfect as appetizers.
Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables; I use it almost daily. I grill it, spiralize it into zoodles, blend it soups, or even turn it into bread or chips.
But did you know you can also eat zucchini blossoms? Fried or stuffed, edible zucchini blossoms are a tasty way to savor this versatile veggie.
What are Zucchini Blossoms or Squash flowers?
Zucchini blossoms, or squash flowers, are the bright yellow-orange flowers that grow on zucchini plants.
These trumpet-shaped flowers are beautiful and slightly sweet. Low in calories, they are rich in vitamins A and C and minerals like potassium. Their vibrant, delicate texture makes them a great addition to your plate.
In the Czech Republic, we like to fry elderflowers or dandelions, Italians fry zucchini flowers or Germans eat fried acacia flowers.
Which squash blossoms to collect?
If you’re wondering why someone would collect zucchini flowers and risk losing the fruits, here’s the catch. To avoid reducing the zucchini yield, only harvest the male flowers, which do not produce fruit. Male blossom will bloom, wilt and die; no fruit will come of them. However, they help fertilize the zucchini flowers so the plant will bear fruit.
Male and female flowers look alike. But you can distinguish them by their shorter and thicker stems with a round bulb or swelling at the base. They grow at the end of a developing baby zucchini.
Male flowers, on the other hand, have a longer stem that is positioned higher on the plant.
Inside the male flower, you’ll find a single stamen covered in pollen, which releases pollen for fertilization. In contrast, female flowers have a stigma that receives pollen.
Where to find zucchini flowers?
I don’t know about US market but you can easily find them in Europe during the zucchini season. Here in Switzerland, they are at farmers markets or even supermarkets.
Another way to access zucchini flowers is to grow them in your own garden and harvest them yourself when they are ready. You can even grow them in pots on a balcony. I found a comprehensive guide that you can follow if you wish to grow zucchini at home.
How to prepare zucchini flowers?
The best time to pick and use the flowers is in the morning when the flowers are fully open. Gently rinse the flowers under cold water to remove any dirt or insects. Pat them dry with a paper towel. Note, that Zucchini flowers can wilt quickly. If your flowers are wilted, give them an ice bath for 15 to 30 minutes and they should perk up enough to stuff or fry them.
10+ Zucchini Blossom Recipes
Whether you’re frying, stuffing, baking, or sautéing, zucchini flowers add a unique element to many dishes.
They are versatile, easy to prepare, and can elevate everyday meals into something special. Experiment with these recipes to discover your favorite way to enjoy zucchini flowers!
Here are my favorite ways to prepare zucchini flowers
Fried Zucchini Blossoms make a tasty appetizer
The easiest method is to prepare fried zucchini flowers. Create a batter using flour and water or egg, then dip the flowers into the batter and fry them until they are golden brown and crispy. Some recipes call for deep frying the flowers, while others suggest pan frying them. These flowers make a delightful appetizer or snack.
Italian Fried Zucchini Blossoms
Stuff Zucchini Flowers with Ricotta or other cheese
Another popular way is to make zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta cheese, herbs, and spices.
Gently open the blossoms and stuff with the ricotta mixture. You can use also goat cheese or other Italian cheese and herbs. Depending on the size of the flower you will use 1 or 2 teaspoons of the cheese mixture. You can then bake or lightly fry them for a rich and creamy treat.
Stuffed zucchini blossoms Filled with cheese
Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossoms
For a luxurious take, stuff the flowers with lobster meat and a light cream sauce. Bake until the flowers are tender and the filling is warm and fragrant.
Lobster Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms
Zucchini Flower Pastries and Bakes
another group of recipes incorporates zucchini flowers into various baked goods, like quiche, pizza, quesadillas, pie, or even pancakes.
You can arrange them on top of quiche or pizza before baking, creating a beautiful and flavorful garnish. In quesadillas, combine zucchini flowers with mozzarella between tortillas for a subtle floral twist. For savory pies, fill a crust with a mixture of sautéed zucchini, onions, and herbs, and top with whole zucchini flowers before baking to achieve a visually stunning dish. Lastly, for a unique breakfast or brunch, fold chopped zucchini flowers into your pancake batter and cook until golden brown on a hot griddle.
Courgette Quiche with Zucchini Flowers
Savory Pie with Zucchini Flavors
Zucchini and Squash Blossom Pancakes
Incorporate Zucchini Plant into pasta dishes
In these recipes, the flowers are often gently cooked into the pasta or incorporated into a creamy risotto-like sauce. It requires sautéeing the fresh flowers before tossing them with cooked pasta or risotto.
Zucchini Flower Pasta Risotto style
Add Fresh Zucchini flower into salad
Zucchini flowers aren’t just for cooking, you can also enjoy them raw in salads and other light meals.
Summer Squash with Poblano, Queso Fresco, and Epazote
What’s the difference between a squash blossom and a zucchini flower?
Squash blossom” and “zucchini flower” are terms used interchangeably for the edible flowers of plants in the squash family (Cucurbitaceae). While there is no botanical difference between them—both come from the same genus— “squash blossom” may refer more broadly to flowers from different types of squash, including zucchini.
Can I put the blossoms in the fridge before using them in a recipe?
It’s best to pick them in the morning when they’re open and fresh, and cook them right away. Zucchini blossoms are very delicate and will close up and lose freshness quickly. You can refrigerate them if you have to, but it’s not ideal. It might be more trouble than it’s worth. Another option is to place the cut flowers in a glass of water, like you would with a bouquet of flowers.
