Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Blossom

Fried Zucchini Blossoms

DSC_5794“Isn’t it too small?” my painting teacher called out when I tried to harvest zucchini blossoms from her garden after class. “Is it?” “It will get larger than this?” After realizing that she was referring to the green parts of the vegetable, I explained that I needed flowers only. “For what?” she asked. “To eat” I said and then answered her question of “How?”. “I think I’m going to deep fry them” “Really?…that’s nice” she said. DSCN0400

She consumes lots of fresh fruits and vegetable and I don’t think she has ever deep fried anything in her life. She is not a health nut but conscious about what she eats and very disciplined. The slender 5 foot 7 inches figure she maintains attests to that. On the day of painting class, she steep mint leaves she dried herself. Conversation flows easily over sipping tea. When I didn’t have breakfast, because I was late getting there, then she brings up a bowl of cereal and milk, toast or banana for me to eat. One time she made me a tall glass of a oatmeal-yogurt-whatever health shake that was really …something … wow powerful stuff! 

I happened to read in the Oregonian FoodDay about squash blossoms a few weeks ago was interesting…squash blossom can be either male or female…wow  I didn’t know that. I picked whichever available in the garden so good thing both genders are edible! Then the article continued to say, Their extremely perishable nature, blossoms are fleeting delicacy…Lucky! I was in the right place at the right time. Here, I adapted this recipe by Londoner and owner of River Café, Ruth Rogers in August(2012) issue of bon appetit.

Ingredients for batter-Makes 8-12 blossoms

  • 1/2 cup all purpose flower
  • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 Tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 egg whites

Direction

  1. Whisk flour and olive oil in a medium bowl to combine.DSCN0461

  2. Add warm water slowly to the flour mixture and whisk after each addition to make pancake batter consistency. Add more water if necessary.DSCN0462
  3. Add salt, stir and let rest uncover for 1-2 hours at room temperature.
  4. Beat egg white in a medium bowl to peak but do not beat till dry.DSCN0463
  5. Add 1/3rd of egg white into the flour mixture and whisk gently to loosen up the batter.
  6. Fold in the rest of egg whites with rubber spatula until just incorporated.

Deep fry the blossoms-prepare a couple sheets of paper towels on a large plate.

  • Vegetable oil
  • 8-12 squash blossoms (I didn’t but you’re supposed to remove stamens from the male blossom flowers-Honey, what is stamens? Don’t worry, it’s too late anyway said my husband).DSC_5802
  • Salt
  1. Heat oil in a large, heavy, deep skillet at medium heat. Oil should be at least 1 inch deep.
  2. Holding the stem of the blossom, dip it in batter, let the excess batter drip back into the bowl.DSCN0466DSCN0467
  3. Fry until golden and crisp-about 3 or 4 minutes. Put them on prepared plate to absorb excess oil.DSCN0469
  4. Season with salt, serve hot. DSCN0473DSCN0474

 

I went to Oregon City Saturday Market with two female friends. Though I enjoyed the outing, I spent more money than I budgeted for.DSCN0417

DSCN0422DSCN0414I bought a bottle of Wildflower Honey Vinegar from Blossom Vinegars.

DSCN0424DSCN0419DSCN0429DSCN0438DSCN0436Wait! I think I know where his separated at birth twin brother is. He is a Blossom Vinegars guy! This vendor had the best price produce.

DSCN0407This is called Hot Lips. Really sexy looking…no? but have peck of cuteness.

DSCN0413DSCN0425A block of maple wood I purchased for my blog from Spindles,Wood and Fiber after waffling whether to buy or not for 10 minutes. It was a bit pricy but a beautiful piece of wood.

DSCN0432Grandson of above vendor just waking up from nap. He reminds me of my grandson. He is adorable too (not as much as my grandson though)!

DSCN0449Our old friend came for Sunday dinner. We’re glad to see him but heart ached for his wife who passed away last year.

DSCN0457Strawberry short cake for dessert. I tried a new recipe and I like this too.

DSCN0454He brought us eggs collected from his hen house. Love the thoughtfulness and the eggs!

 

 

 

 

 

14 comments:

  1. ズッキーニのフリッター美味しそう!!!食べたことがないんです。なんとなく想像はできるけど、でもやっぱり食べてみたい!そして美味しそうな手作りのショートケーキ。あぁ~お菓子作れる人のいるお宅、羨ましい(なんちゃって)。

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    1. バケーション楽しかった? キッチンのリモデリングで散財したので、今年はあまりどこにも行けそうもないです。いつも優しいコメントありがとう。

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  2. I made fried zucchini once. I should try it again-- stuffed with cheese!
    I do love the farmer's markets. And it's cool that they're selling furniture too.

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    1. It was a fun outing. I love to go to swap meet in Hawaii. I hope you would take me there. I have to get to Hawaii first though. Thank you for your comment.

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  3. Thanks, Honey, for making this for us. It was delicious!

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  4. I grew up eating a lot of zucchini blossoms .. crispy friend .. absolutely delicious. We call it 'kumro phool' in Bengali ( my mother language) :)

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    1. I really love learning from your blog and I leaned a new word today. Cheers to 'kumoro phool'! Thank you so much.

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  5. Nice to found your site. This is too beautiful to be eaten..

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    1. Sonia, Thank you for visiting my blog. I went to your blog site too. I think you have many delicious looking foods and photos are fantastic!

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  6. Beautiful photos as usual! I'm curious . . . what will you do with the maple wood?

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment. I'm thinking use this as fish dish but I can use it for display or tray (have two cut outs for hands).

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  7. Never had try this kind of batter before...
    tempting to try!
    i guess it's texture are superb!

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    1. It was really good. I will try stuffed zucchini blossom next. Thank you for your comment.

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