Zucchini plants are a staple in almost every vegetable garden. Famous for being highly productive, you’ll often end up with more zucchini than you can handle come the height of summer.
(In which case you’ll want to look at our ideas for preserving your zucchini harvest for the long term.)
But another benefit of growing zucchini plants are the seemingly endless supply of delicate and delicious zucchini blossoms. These large golden orange flowers are entirely edible, delicious and versatile.
They are often stuffed, battered and fried, but are also used in salads and pastas.
While we refer to zucchini flowers primarily, any squash or pumpkin flowers are edible and can be used in the recipes below.
How To Pick Zucchini Flowers
Zucchini flowers are highly perishable so you’ll be unlikely to find them in the supermarket. Some local farmers markets might carry them in season, but for reliable availability, you should grow your own.
Only female zucchini flowers produce fruit so to avoid reducing your harvest, pick only the male flowers. You’ll want to leave some male flowers on the plant so they can pollinate the female flowers.
Identifying Male & Female Squash Flowers
A male squash flower has a stamen that looks like a small fuzzy banana or mushroom and is covered in pollen. The male flower also extends on a long thin stem.
Male squash flower
A female flower has multiple stigmas and if you look at the stem behind the flower, it will have a small bulbous growth which is the start of the squash formation.
Female squash flower
This is a female squash flower. You can see the formation of the fruit behind the flower.
Leave the female squash flowers on the plant to mature into fully formed zucchini or squash.
To pick your squash blossoms, use a clean and sharp pair of pruners and snip the stem half an inch below the flower. You’ll remove the rest of the stem before cooking.
It’s best to pick zucchini blossoms early in the morning before it’s too hot but after the dew has dried.
Zucchini flowers are highly perishable so use within 24 hours.
Eating Zucchini Flowers – 20 Delicious Recipes To Try
Squash Blossom Recipes
1
Squash Blossom Pesto
Photo Credit: therunawayspoon.comTurn your squash flowers into a vivid orange pesto, perfect for stirring through pasta or gnocchi.
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2
Squash Blossom Quesadillas (de Flor de Calabaza)
Photo Credit: www.lacocinadeleslie.comSquash flowers + cheese + flour tortillas and you've got yourself some delicious quesadillas.
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3
Zucchini-Corn Squash Blossom Pancakes
Photo Credit: christyw.comPair this with a dipping sauce for a sensational springtime lunch.
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4
Frittata di Zucchine e Fiori di Zucca (Italian Zucchini Frittata)
Photo Credit: www.allrecipes.comThis easy-to-make frittata uses both zucchini and zucchini flowers. It's ideal to be eaten cold so take it with you on your summer picnics.
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5
Florabundance - A Zucchini Flower Tart!
Photo Credit: www.notquitenigella.comThe squash blossoms pressed delicately into the puff pastry make this tart a thing of beauty. And despite the few ingredients, it packs a surprising flavor punch.
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6
Pizza Pesto, Zucchini & Flowers
Photo Credit: www.sugarlovespices.comI bet you've never seen squash blossoms on your local pizza takeaway menu? Ditch the heavy, greasy takeaway and try this light and spring-like zucchini flower pizza recipe.
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7
Orecchiette fresh pasta with zucchini flowers, mussels and saffron
Photo Credit: babettesgaestebud.blogspot.comIf mussels are in season (supposedly in months that don't end in R - so May to August) then pair them with squash blossoms in this delightful pasta recipe.
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8
Risotto with Zucchini, Squash Blossoms and Prosecco
Photo Credit: www.chefbikeski.comYou had me at prosecco! Switch out white wine for prosecco in this delightful squash blossom risotto.
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9
Zucchini Flower, Mint and Pecorino Pasta
Photo Credit: fooddaydreaming.comZucchini flowers and mint work so well together against the sharpness of the pecorino in this light pasta recipe.
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10
Zucchini flower, asparagus and fennel salad
Photo Credit: www.gourmettraveller.com.auThis is a zesty, anise-flavored raw salad with zucchini flowers as the hero ingredient.
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11
Feta and Zucchini Blossom Salad with Filippino Dried Herring
Photo Credit: honestcooking.comWhat do you mean you've never thought to combine zucchini blossoms with Filippino dried herring?
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12
Yellow Salad with Zucchini Flowers
Photo Credit: thedevilwearssalad.comYellow carrots, yellow beets and yellow squash. This is sunshine on a plate!
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13
Arugula Salad Recipe with Squash Flowers
Photo Credit: saladswithanastasia.comPeppery, crunchy and packed with nutrients - you've got to try this salad featuring freshly picked pumpkin flowers.
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14
Crispy Vietnamese Pork Stuffed Zucchini Flowers Recipe
Photo Credit: whiteonricecouple.comIf in doubt, stuff your squash flowers for the most delectable treat. This Vietnamese pork recipe is one of the best fillings you can try.
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15
Roasted zucchini flowers stuffed with cashew cheese
Photo Credit: tohercore.comI've never heard of cashew cheese, but now I desperately want to try it. This is a great vegan alternative to the pork stuffed zucchini flowers above.
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16
Parmesan Basil Fried Squash Blossoms
Photo Credit: swirlsofflavor.comThe stuffed zucchini recipes keep on coming with this ricotta, parmesan and basil stuffed flower recipe.
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17
Zucchini Flowers Stuffed with Crab
Photo Credit: www.zencancook.comIf Vietnamense pork stuffed zucchino flowers didn't do it for you, if cashew cheese stuffed squash flowers didn't entice you, then perhaps this crab stuffed recipe will.
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18
Stuffed Zucchini Flowers (Spicy Anthous)
Photo Credit: afroditeskitchen.comThis Cypriot recipe can be a bit bland if you get the rice or water ratios wrong - but get it right and you've got yourself a stunning dish.
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19
Italian Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
Photo Credit: anitalianinmykitchen.comJumping from Cyprus to Italy, these squash blossoms are packed with mozzarella and prosciutto and make a wonderful appetizer.
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20
Air Fried Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
Photo Credit: sweetsavoryandsteph.comI've not jumped on the air fryer bandwagon (yet!) but if you have, then you've got to make these air fried stuffed zucchini blossoms.
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