I have been eyeing the squash blossoms
every week at the farmers market. And, as we are getting to the end of the blooming
season, I was acutely aware that I needed to get them today.
I love stuffed squash blossoms, squash
blossom risotto, and pasta with squash blossoms and saffron. Once they come
home with me, they need to be used within a few hours, preferably for a
noontime meal to have them as fresh as possible.
For today, stuffing them was the
answer. Many preparations for stuffed squash blossoms call for deep-frying them
in either a whipped-egg batter or a tempura-like batter, but frying isn’t on my
current diet. Not for a while, anyway. For me this was a fun challenge to find
or create a recipe that wasn’t too fattening.
Goat cheese is one of the more healthy
cheeses you can get these days, fairly low in fat and full in flavor. Stuffing
the blossoms with that would be delicious. So, while at the market we
looked for goat cheese and stopped at a booth that bore a sign: Fresh Cheese.
Sounded promising…. While they didn’t have goat cheese, we did however
buy 4 ounces of homemade Rainbow Valley Farmers‘ fromage blanc – much like mascarpone
cheese. While I had been hoping for goat cheese, this was perfect.
Then, as we were walking to the car, we
passed another booth that DID have goat cheese. So I looked at the fromage blanc and thought, “I need
more cheese!” I bought their plain goat cheese, but not until I had tasted
their Mexican-style queso fresco and
their baked ricotta. All three were excellent.
Once home, I sought recipe ideas
online… I think most of us do this nowadays. We look at multiple recipes,
take an idea from this one, another from that, consider what we have in the
cupboards and then end up with a recipe that we call our own. That is exactly how
this one came about – it is a nice combination of earthy sun-dried tomatoes,
basil and cheeses, baked in a casserole until it is all bubbly and the flavors
have melded.
I made these in one casserole dish but
you will not see them served on the plate. Like
many good dishes of the cucina povera,
they aren’t pretty when scooped from the dish and put on a plate.
However, the way to get around this is to place three stuffed blossoms in small
oval serving dishes like the ones used for crème
brulée. Place that on a larger plate with a salad on the side and it will
make for a lovely presentation and perfect light meal!
Now – after eating a double helping –
I, too, am stuffed!
– David
Stuffed Squash Blossom Gratin
3/4 ounce sun-dried tomatoes (not in
oil), chopped
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil,
divided
1/3 cup fromage blanc or mascarpone
cheese
1/3 cup fresh goat cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
3-4 tablespoons milk (fat-free works
fine)
12 large zucchini blossoms, stems
trimmed
Using a spice grinder, small food
processor or a mortar and pestle, work tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of olive oil
into a paste.
Mix the cheeses, sun-dried tomato paste
and basil in a medium bowl. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons milk until cheese
mixture is smooth and not too thick. Place in a Ziploc storage bag and set
aside.
Preheat oven to 425ºF.
Use 1 more teaspoon of the olive oil to
coat a small baking dish (or, as suggested above, 4 small oval dishes for
individual servings). Carefully, holding one blossom, pipe the cheese
filling into the cavity – about 2-3 teaspoons. Close the tops by carefully
twisting the petals, as shown.
Place stuffed blossoms into the baking
dish(es) and drizzle with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil. Bake for 20-25
minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown. The cheese filling will ooze out
but this makes for a lovely gratin.
Place three blossoms on each plate with
some salad and sliced tomatoes.
Serves 4.
Tulika
August 21, 2011 at 6:35 amThis looks absolutely beautiful!! I'd love to try this dish. Do you know if squash blossoms available at regular stores?
Cocoa & Lavender
August 21, 2011 at 2:07 pmTulika,
I have never seen them at any grocery store before, but it doesn't mean it can't happen. I imagine that a Whole Foods or AJs would be your best bet – but my suggestion would be to find the nearest Houston farmers market! 🙂
Kirsten Honeyman
August 21, 2011 at 5:02 pmLooks absolutely YUMMY!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 21, 2011 at 5:23 pmThanks, Kirsten!
Karin
August 21, 2011 at 6:45 pmWOW! This looks wonderful!! I have been reveling in the debauchery of eating squash blossoms for the past few weeks. It's been a great season for them here in NY (in fact, there is half a box in my fridge right now from yesterday's greenmarket!) I can't wait to make this recipe!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 21, 2011 at 7:11 pmThis is one of my favorite things about seasonal eating – we have them now from our farmers markets and then we have to wait with great anticipation till next year… Let me know what you think if you try them, Karin!
Anonymous
August 22, 2011 at 12:26 amIn keeping with your theme of making a recipe your own: While I did use all the same ingredients in the following recipe for Edamame Succotash, I did change the amounts of some of the ingredients to take advantage of the remainder of the fresh corn season. Enjoy!
2 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1/2 c finely diced red onion, 1 tsp minced garlic, 2 strips applewood-smoked bacon, finely chopped (1/3 cup), 1 cup fresh corn kernels, from 1 small ear, 1/4 cup small diced red bell pepper, salt, pepper to taste. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. saute onion and garlic until softened, about 2 min. Add the bacon and cook until it has fendered its fat and begins to crisp about 5 min. Add the edamamae, corn and bell pepper and saute for 2-3 min. Season with salt, pepper and serve hot. For our version tonight, I used 4 ears of corn, a handful of edemame and and eyed the rest of the ingredients. Served with grilled rosemary chicken breasts and topped off with "good" balsamic vinegar–syrupy and delicious! Enjoy–Sue Allen
Cocoa & Lavender
August 22, 2011 at 2:49 amThanks, Sue – this sounds really great! Hope all is well in West Chester!
Susan
August 22, 2011 at 9:32 pmWe are heading for Provence, where I know we'll find these delectable blossoms! Your stuffing sounds wonderful!
Karin
August 23, 2011 at 12:15 amI made these for dinner tonight – AMAZING! Did everything just as written, but added a little grated parm on top before going in the oven. This one is definitely going into my recipe file!
Cocoa & Lavender
August 23, 2011 at 3:50 am@ Susan. Color me J-E-A-L-O-U-S! Have fun and think of us!
@ Karin – glad to know you like them! Boy, they are tasty! I like the addition of Parmesan!
Anonymous
August 24, 2011 at 4:47 amI have never had anything like this, I'm so intrigued. Would you say this is more French or a fusion of three? I would love to try this dish, although, I think I might have a tough time finding some ingredients here though "sigh".
Cocoa & Lavender
August 24, 2011 at 2:29 pmElle – I think the hardest thing to find will be the squash blossoms – the "innards" can be creatively changed to reflect your local ingredients! Maybe you can grow zucchini in your garden next year?