Ah, its that time of year, the time when zucchini blossoms {flowers} start showing up in specialty stores and all the Italians go crazy for them {me included}! My grandmother makes the most wonderful fritelli which is basically the something like a fritter made with chopped up zucchini flowers, flour, egg, grated cheese and parsley. A family favorite with me and my brothers and now with my own kids too. These are another one of those amazing family favorites, Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms.

Way back in July of 2008 the hubby and I were fortunate enough to go to Italy for the second time. We stayed in a Villa along with his family in Maiori, along the the Amalfi coast. In Amalfi there was a restaurant on the water called Marina Grande, it was incredible!!! The first meal we had there my hubby had crab and ricotta stuffed zucchini blossoms and absolutely loved them! Fast forward to this past weekend and I finally gave it a go, minus the crab!

I’m going to tell you right now, these are time consuming to make and a little messy but its so worth it in the end! The warm creamy ricotta filling with the subtle sweetness of the flower, then the light crisp batter… so good!!! A little side note, I was going to try and bake these, you know you avoid the extra calories but the hubby looked at me like I was crazy and said it shouldn’t even be a question… it was the right choice!!!

makes approx 2 1/2 dozen

2 1/2 dozen zucchini blossoms

For the filling:
1- 15 oz cont. ricotta (part skim is ok too)
a couple handfuls of basil, sliced
1/4 cup grated pecorino
salt & pepper

For the batter:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup grated pecorino
1 egg
3/4 cup water
salt and pepper

vegetable or canola oil for frying

To prep the blossoms, very carefully remove the stamen (inside the center of the flower) of the flower. They rip easily so be as careful as possible. If it rips slightly don’t worry, it will be a little messier in the cooking step but certainly still usable!!!

Mix the ingredients for the filling in a bowl and stir to combine.

Using either a pastry bad with a small tip or a plastic bag with a corner cut off, fill the bag with the filling. Carefully open the flower slightly and squeeze in just enough filling to fill the lower part of the blossom. Once filled twist the top of the blossom to seal it closed. If you overfill them they are more likely to leak out while cooking.

   

Continue filling the remaining flowers and set aside to mix together the batter.

Before making the batter go ahead and get a large pot ready. Pour in 2-3 inches of oil into the pot and heat over medium high heat. You want the oil to be ready before you start battering the flowers. How to test? Drop a drop of the batter CAREFULLY into the oil.. if it sinks to the bottom its not ready, if it floats to the top and small bubbles form around it then you are ready!

In a bowl stir together all the ingredients for the batter. Holding the stem end of the flower go ahead and coat the flower and carefully place into the oil. Cook for just a couple minutes until lightly golden.

   

Place the cooked flowers onto a wire rack so you don’t lose all the crispness {though I will say I ate one after it sat out for quite a while and had softened and it was still delicious!!!}.

Here are some of my favorite Italian inspired recipes…