Description
Edible flowers anyone?? Quite surprised to see that these were offered for a dollar a pint at my farmers market and coundn’t resist buying. Once these were tossed and other well known flowers like cauliflower, broccoli and artichokes were given importance. But things to do change, nowadays these zucchini flowers are gaining more popularity… and considered gourmet due to its medicinal properties. What do you think they have the most??? Rich folic acid, so give it try if you happen to see…Both male and female zucchini flowers are edible, male flower grows directly from the stem and doesnt bear fruit, but does contribute some effort …while the female flower is attached with the zucchini fruit itself. Most markets sell them with the fruit atttached but little expensive though. Male flower is good for stuffing and mild in taste compared to female which is quite robust in flavour. These are just like our Banana flower.. except very mild and suits mostlly deep fried, stir fried , stuffing and saute.
I had to resort to deep frying as this is the first time, I’m actually introducing this item to my family…. better not trash the whole thing. But these flowers tasted very mild and that gave me confidence.. for lot more recipe ideas.
Zucchini Fritters / Zucchini Flower Vadai / Zucchini Flower Pakodi / Deep Fried Zucchini Flowers
| Ingredients | |
|---|---|
| 10 nos | Zucchini flowers |
| 1 cup | Bengal gram (kadala paruppu) |
| 1 no | Onion ( chopped) |
| 2 no | Green chili (finely chopped) |
| 3 clove | Garlic (crushed) |
| 1 inch | Ginger (crushed) |
| ¼ tsp | Cumin seeds |
| ¼ tsp | Fennel seeds |
| ¼ tsp | Asfoetida |
| 1 pinch | Turmeric powder |
| 1 tsp | Salt (or to taste) |
| 10 nos | Curry leaves |
| 2 cup | Oil |
Instructions
Soak bengal gram for at least an hour, wash and drain completely using a colander. Grind to coarse texture along with green chili, without adding any water. Separate the petals from the stem, wash them in cold water and place them on a paper towel to drain all the water or pat dry. Chop them into small strips, including those green petals attached to the stem. To the ground dal mixture, add chopped onions, petals, crushed ginger, garlic, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, asafoetida, turmeric powder, curry leaves and salt. Mix to make a crumbly textured dough. Heat oil in a kadai and sample a piece. Check for oil temperature, adjust salt and prepare to fry.
Pinch a portion, roll it like a golf ball and flatten it between your palm and gently drop into the oil from the sides of the kadai, without touching it. Fry about a minute on each side over medium high flame or until it turns golden on all sides. Or you can also try them frying like fritters… either way they taste good. Drain excess oil by placing them over paper towel and serve hot.
11 Comments
Looking yummy.By this recipe i came to know about this flower.I”ll try to search in my place
Mullai
I made this y’day like small vadai’s.. tasted yummy, even kids loved it.
Thanks
Jaya
Really a tempting dish mam..but this flower i will not get here to make a try..any way will search for it…yummy fritters…..Divya Mubarak
Wow looks too yummy n tempting Mullai..
Mullai..
What a coincidence, I planted zucchini this summer about 4 plants ( along with my other veggies..) and they are yielding several fruits / Kai ( I am using Priya’s recipe and consuming them a lot,almost everyday plus distributing to my friends too), The flowers just dry and go to the yard waste. I never knew I could make such a big use of these . Let me get some of these today and try.
BTW if you are living in bay area and happen to see this ad, respond back, first come first served, I can give some flowers / fruits free fresh from my own garden.
Regs
Jaya
Hi Lakshmi, I live in East Bay Area (pleasant hill, near DVC), am not interested in any free things, i just wanted to say hello and see if we live close by, then we can catch up for a get-together.
– Karpagam
sowmya2504@yahoo.com
Hi Karpagam
I live in Cupertino, so only people living near San jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Milpitas , Mt.View could stop by my house to get them. Anyway thanks for responding and sure a big hi for you and your family. You can also send me an email anytime to 1090smary@gmail.com ( Yep that was our old house address).
Regs
jaya Lakshmi
Jaya, thanks a bunch. I wish.. but I'm very far from your place. Hope members from the same area might be interested.. i guess. I'm sorry for not getting back.. past two days have been very crazy here and couldn't actually devote any time for my website. Thanks again.
Mullai,
Rich in Folic acid, then I will look for these flowers while shopping. Nice creative vadais. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Nice one…will try if i get this flower.
mullai, nice discovery, i will make if i find the flowers