Zucchini flowers are one of those seasonal specials we pounce on every year when we spot them at farmers’ markets and select greengrocers. Their delicate flavour and stunning appearance make them an ideal addition to spring menus, whether stuffed with ricotta, tomato rice or nut purées, torn and tossed through salads, or as the finishing touch in pasta dishes. Zucchini flowers are usually sold with the baby zucchini fruit attached. Female flowers are directly attached to the zucchini, while male flowers are linked by a stem. The flowers are extremely perishable – they’re best used on the day of purchase.
To prepare, gently wash them in a bowl of water, trim off the zucchini fruit, and remove the pistil (from female flowers) and stamen (from male flowers). Store zucchini flowers in the refrigerator by placing them on a paper towel and sealing them in an airtight ziplock bag.
Here’s how to cook with zucchini flowers with our best recipes.
Berbere-spiced pumpkin with broccoli fatteh
Porcine’s zucchini, pecorino and basil tart
Matt Stone’s raw zucchini, pine nut and miso salad
Alla Wolf-Tasker’s tempura zucchini flowers
Salted ricotta tart with zucchini and black garlic
Giovanni Pilu’s mussels, fregola and baby zucchini with flowers
Fino’s grilled peach, zucchini flowers and stracciatella
Roast stuffed zucchini flowers with tomato and oregano
Zucchini flower pasta freddo with buffalo mozzarella
Zucchini flower, asparagus and fennel salad
Osteria Ilaria’s zucchini flowers stuffed with almond purée and aïoli
Zucchini flower, mint and pecorino penne
Zucchini flowers with ricotta, parmesan, and mint and anchovy sauce
Speedy yoghurt flatbread with zucchini flowers and feta
Farfalle with Gorgonzola fonduta, zucchini, basil and toasted nuts
Summer zucchini salad with seeds, parmesan, and mint and lemon dressing
Sautéed zucchini flowers with lemon, chilli and garlic
Chickpea, broad bean, zucchini flower, preserved lemon and ricotta salad
Hot-smoked mullet with zucchini flowers, peas and mint
Ocean trout with calamari, cherry tomato and zucchini flower salad
Stuffed zucchini flowers with basil sauce
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