squas blossoms at the Santa Barbara Market

We have loved stuffed squash blossoms when we first encountered them on our trips to Italy.  We always had an abundance of zucchini growing in our vegetable garden, and stuffed squash blossoms were always a treat. With all the great produce we have available  at the Farmers' Market in Santa Barbara, we have decided to just grow herbs.

"Fiore de zuca" are a delicacy in Italy.  They can be lightly battered and fried in olive oil, and also stuffed with fresh ricotta and parsley, or goat cheese, or sausage.  They can also be fried and dusted with powdered sugar and served as dessert. One of my favorite Italian cook book writers, Marcella Hazan. suggests making a pastella, the Italian secret  batter, which is one of the best batters we have ever tasted.

A pastella is made in the following manner. "Put a cup of water in a soup plate, and gradually add 2/3 cup of all purpose unbleached flour, sifting it through a sieve as you constantly beat the mixture until all the flour has been incorporated.  The batter should have the consistency of sour cream." (From the Classic Italian Cook Book, by Marcella Hazan)

Once you have tried pastella, it will be a "revelation" and an yummy alternative to the usual heavy spongy batter."  It needs to be made fresh each time you are going to use it, it does not keep.  It can be used with onion rings, arichoke heatrs, aspargus, and antything else you would want to batter.

Enjoy, Cheers, Ron & Alexandra

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30 Comments on Marketing Luxury Real Estate: The Secret Stuff of Squash Blossoms

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUN
06
2012
511,019 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Oh, what a delight, Alexandra. Pietra, our good friend from Italy that has a restaurant here in Murphy, NC has made these a few times for us and they are so wonderful! You're photos and post are always such a delight too.
8:49pm • #11
JUN
07
2012
400,920 Points 1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

What a lively and colorful treat a ricotta filled one would be on any plate.  How long does it take to get zucchini to bloom?  Never in my life have I seen it before but it looks fantastic.  I like the term "squash blossom" even more-so.  Italian fare can't be beat R & A.
4:49am • #12
527,032 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Alexandra,

I've never had the Squash blossoms that I recall.  Maybe my Italian Nannie use to make them but I don't remember and I definitely don't remember my mom making them.  I'll have to share your batter recipe with my husband though as he does most of our cooking now and we do have a Squash plant in the garden!

Thanks for sharing!!!
10:30am • #13
527,032 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

FYI,

I tried to email it to my husband but got an error message about the blog-email no longer available.  I might just have to save it to my Pinterest Recipes.  Hope you don't mind!!!
10:35am • #14
952,823 Points 13 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Kevin,

Zucchini is one of the easiest and high producing vegetables.  Two plants and you have an explosion of blossoms.  We love Italian food, and I think I cook it a few times a week in some form or another.

DeeDee,

As I said it is considered a delicacy.  I don't know why it did not copy of AR and I don't mind if you put in on Pinterest, as long as Marcella Hazan gets her due.  She was the recipe writer and she deserves the credit.  A
10:46am • #15
527,032 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Alexandra,

When I put it on Pinterest the picture is all that shows up.  When people double click on it, they are taken to your blog post for the full details and credit to Marcella.  Thanks again!

 

 
1:52pm • #16
952,823 Points 13 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

DeeDee,

Thank you for checking and I appreciate you understood my concern about giving credit.

Patricia,

Yes, these will be zucchinis.

Lee and Carol,

Thank you for your kind words, we really love what we do as no doubt you do also.

2:29pm • #17
JUN
09
2012
499,133 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Alexandra and Ron, Great to see you on the Member Spotlight this morning! With so many member on AR it is nice when I see someone I have connected with.   This is a great post, timely for me as my various squash plantings are blooming and I will have to try stuffing them as you have written.

Enjoy your weekend.

Gloria
7:44am • #18
952,823 Points 13 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Gloria,

Thank for that.  I bet you have a gorgeous garden by now.  This is a delightful treat, and I almost bought some squash flowers, and put it off to next week because my bag was overflowing. A
12:19pm • #19
JUN
10
2012
899,692 Points 51 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

 On my gosh!  This is not what I was expecting! I was expecting a white, flat, flower shaped squash --interesting!
4:28am • #20
737,887 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good Morning...Only the Italians would find something else to cook with their beloved Olive Oil...How do they taste?

Kathy sent us over in her Feature post today

Cheers, have a fun and successful day!
7:31am • #21
952,823 Points 13 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Fred,

They are a delightful treat...The whole Mediterranean is into olive oil, as is California which also produces lots of excellent olive oil.  Thanks for droping by.  A
8:17am • #22
363,650 Points 32 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

A, as others have said before me, you're the real WOW factor here on ActiveRain! This is a great post and I'm forwarding it to my daughter and her hubby in Switzerland. They travel to Italy often and I can't wait to hear what they have to say about it!

Thank you! I'm forever craving Italian!!!
8:44am • #23
952,823 Points 13 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Patricia,

I am sure they have enjoyed this treat, and I really would love a trip to Italy very soon.  I love the Italian scene and the food especially.  A
9:33am • #24
483,042 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Oh my goodness, I love these too. I first heard about them on NPR's Splendid Table, they sounded so good, I had to try them. Delicious. The blossoms photo is lovely. Have a wonderful afternoon. D
11:20am • #25
JUN
11
2012
988,695 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Wow, you make food into art work. I am still thinking about the potatoes from the other day!
1:27am • #26
1,251,434 Points 81 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good morning Ron and Alexandra,

OMG..we just ate a few week-ends ago at our favorite place outside of Rome at Restorante Sibilla and of course had to have squash blossoms! It was raining so we ate in the fireplace room instead of the garden but still was wonderful! They are delightful and now I know the secret batter and how to make them..I will be trying this as you are right..artichoke hearts, onions..would all be delightful!! Thanks you so much!!
4:04am • #27
1,144,346 Points 107 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I let my blossums turn into squash, but I have GOT to try that batter on some fried green tomatoes.
9:17am • #28
952,823 Points 13 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Debb,

Yest they are wonderful, and they are beautiful eats. 

Cheryl,

Food is living in art in our opinion, and our farmers are creating art for us.

Dorie,

Tanks for sharing your lovely experience with us and I am going to remember that Restaurant...we hope ot be in Rome in the fall.ound

Joni,

Sorry to disappoint you, we just found out that lilies are good to eat also...
2:53pm • #29
952,823 Points 13 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Tammy,

Good for you, and we each have our way of doing things.  Isn't that great that we can share our preferences? A

 
2:54pm • #30

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


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Ron & Alexandra Seigel (Luxury Real Estate Marketing) (ra@napaconsultants.com) Rainmaker_large

Ron & Alexandra Seigel (Luxury Real Estate Marketing)

Carpinteria, CA

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