On Zucchini blossoms

    Zucchini blossoms are the flowers that grow on the zucchini plant.  They can be either male or female blossoms, the difference being in that the female blossoms grow at the end of the actual zucchini squash while the male blossoms grow at the stem of the plant. The blossoms come in shades of yellow and orange, with flavors that mimic the squash itself. You can get these gorgeous edible flowers anytime from late spring to early fall in specialty markets as well as your local farmers market (depending on where you're at).

   They are extremely perishable and should not be kept in excessively cold or hot temperatures. I like to use the flowers as a garnish in salads or I also sauté them with a little garlic and zucchini ribbons; then I sprinkle some salty cheese over the top (ricotta salad, pecorino, parmesan, etc...). You can also slice the petals and place them in soups as a finishing touch. In Mexico, the flowers are often used in a soup called sopa de flor de calabaza, and it's also popular in a variation of  quesadillas called quesadilla de flor de calabaza. By far the most common method of preparation is to sauté them after coating the flowers in a crispy batter. They are also sometimes  stuffed  with ingredients such as soft cheese before being battered-dipped and fried. I purchased a box of 50 blossoms for $15.95. From  a chefs perspective its an easy way to make money, and help your food cost.

Here are some of the blossoms I received from Jersey........