You Can eat the flowers in Italy

On a recent face book post Lesley Daoust,  who co owns a villa in Puglia that gives travelers and tourists an incredible experience, shared with me the recipe for  Zucchini flowers…..

Yes you cook and eat the flowers!
 
I have been fascinated by the delicacy after seeing the flowers sold in the food market in Sorrento.  The stall owner was very patient trying to explain what to do with them.  Remember, I understand more Italian than I speak so sometimes the person I speak with, answers an entirely different question!   Just adds to the adventure.
 
But here we have a DEATAILED description of how to prepare and cook firore della zucchini.       Next time I will remember to remove the inside of the flower……

As an Italian American I had heard of this but we never had it  at any meals.  Perhaps it was a regional treat or the fact that only half of my immediate family was Italian and the other half had to learn to cook Italian very quickly. 

Lesley Daoust       www.villamagnoliaitaly.com  a luxury B&B, private and exclusive,   see the photos and  agree it is a wonderful villa.  Lesley wrote: 7 ounces good-quality crumbly ricotta cheese 1/4 of a nutmeg, finely grated, or a pinch of ground nutmeg A small handful freshly grated Parmesan 1 lemon, zest finely grated, plus 2 lemons, halved for serving A small bunch fresh mint, leaves picked and finely chopped 1 to 2 fresh red chiles, halved, seeded and very finely chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 3/4 cups flour, plus a little extra for dusting 1 1/2 cups decent white wine or sparkling water 8 zucchini flowers, with zucchini still attached Vegetable oil Beat the ricotta in a bowl with the nutmeg, the Parmesan, lemon zest and most of the chopped mint and chiles. Season carefully, with salt and pepper, to taste. To make a lovely light batter, put the flour into a mixing bowl with a good pinch of salt. Pour in the white wine and whisk until thick and smooth. At this point the consistency of the batter should be like heavy cream or, if you dip your finger in, it should stick to your finger and nicely coat it. If it's too thin, add a bit more flour; if it's too thick, add a little more wine. Open the zucchini flowers up gently, keeping them attached to the zucchini, and snip off the pointed stamen inside because these taste bitter. Give the flowers a gentle rinse if you like. With a teaspoon, carefully fill each flower with the ricotta mixture. Or, as I prefer to do, spoon the ricotta into the corner of a sandwich bag. Snip 1/2-inch off the corner and use this as a makeshift piping bag to gently squeeze the filling into each flower, until just full. Carefully press the flowers back together around the mixture to seal it in. Then put the flowers aside. (Any leftover ricotta can be smeared on hot crostini as a snack!) One by one, dip the zucchini with their ricotta-stuffed flowers into the batter, making sure they're completely covered, and gently let any excess drip off. Carefully release them, away from you, into the hot oil. Quickly batter another 1 or 2 flowers and any small zucchini (or parsley) leaves if you have any - but don't crowd the pan too much otherwise they'll stick together. Fry until golden and crisp all over, then lift them out of the oil and drain on the paper towels. Remove to a plate or board and sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and the remaining chile and mint. Serve with half a lemon to squeeze over. Serve hot!" WONDERFUL!    LET'S ASK LESLEY TO SHARE MORE OF HER TREATS WITH US..... Wouldn't you like to join Lesley in Puglia for an experience you can remember for years?