Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Ingredients

• 12 zucchini blossoms 12 zucchini blossoms
• 200g (7oz) feta cheese, crumbled 200g (7oz) feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sparkling water 1/2 cup sparkling water
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Gently rinse the zucchini blossoms under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. 2.
   Carefully remove the pistils from the center of each blossom, ensuring not to tear the petals.
3. 3.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, chopped dill, chopped mint, lemon zest, black pepper, and salt. Mix well to incorporate all the ingredients.
4. 4.
   Carefully stuff each zucchini blossom with a small spoonful of the feta cheese mixture, gently closing the petals around the filling.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and sparkling water until you have a smooth batter.
6. 6.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat.
7. 7.
   Dip each stuffed zucchini blossom into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off, and carefully place it into the hot oil.
8. 8.
   Fry the blossoms in batches for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
9. 9.
   Once fried, transfer the blossoms to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
10. 10.
    Serve the Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms warm as an appetizer or meze.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Zucchini blossoms — Choose fresh blossoms that are still closed and vibrant in color. Gently remove the pistils to ensure a smooth texture.
• Feta cheese — Opt for high-quality feta cheese for the best flavor. Crumble it well to evenly distribute it in the filling.

Tips & Tricks

• If you can't find zucchini blossoms, you can substitute with squash blossoms.
• Serve the Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms with a side of tzatziki sauce for a refreshing contrast.
• For a lighter version, you can bake the stuffed blossoms in the oven instead of frying them.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the filling according to your taste preferences.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms as an appetizer or meze. Arrange them on a platter and garnish with fresh herbs for an attractive presentation.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil over the Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms. Serve them on a bed of fresh lettuce leaves for an elegant touch.