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Herb and Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossoms

Our few small winter squash plants, that I started from seed this year, have taken off, and taken over, and are now literally climbing the walls of the new squash garden we put in. It is still amazing to me that one tiny 1.5 cm long seed can turn into a gigantic sprawling little-shop-of-horrors-like vine with leaves that are waist-high. Looks like we will pretty certainly have an abundance of squash, and currently have an abundance of glorious, delicate, and elegant squash blossoms.

If picking them yourself, try to do it early in the day, when they are open and slightly more resilliant--they tear very easily. Also, you'll want to pick the male flowers, as the females are the ones that the squash will grow from.

So with our glut of blossoms, guess I'll just have to stuff them with creamy cheese and fry them, fry them, fry them.


	Herb and Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossoms by Catie 12 squash blossoms 1 Pint Ricotta or Fresh Cheese 2 TBS fresh herbs (parsley, basil, thyme, oregano), finely chopped Salt and Pepper, to taste For the Batter: 1 cup of AP Flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp Salt 1 egg 1 1/4 cup beer or seltzer water, cold Oil, canola, vegetable, peanut, for frying. Carefully remove the anther from the inside of the blossoms (if using male flowers) with scizzors. You can cut a seam down the side if it is too hard to get in there without tearing the flower. Combine the cheese with herbs and season to taste. Gently stuff each blossom with about a tablespoon of filling. Combine dry ingredients for the batter. Add the egg, and then the cold beer or seltzer. The batter should be the consistency of a loose pancake batter. Heat 3 inches of oil in a heavy bottomed pot to 350 degrees. Gently dip each blossom in the batter, letting the excess drip off. Carefully lay the blossom in the oil, frying until golden brown, turning occasionally. Remove with a slotted utensil, and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Season with salt immediately and eat right away.

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Catie Baumer Schwalb is a chef, food writer and photographer, who splits her life between the city and the country. Not too long ago Catie was a New York City based actress and playwright for more than a decade. She has her Master of Fine Arts from the National Theater Conservatory, and her Grand Diplôme in classic culinary arts from the French Culinary Institute in New York City. ... Read More ≫

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