Squash Blossoms Stuffed With Ricotta Recipes

STUFFED SQUASH BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat. Heat about 4 inches of oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over direct heat until it reaches 350 degrees F.
• Combine the ricotta, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Place a tablespoon of the filling into each zucchini blossom, sealing them by bringing the petals up around the filling and giving them a little twist.
• Season the flour with salt and pepper, then dredge the blossoms first in the flour, then in the eggs and then again in the flour, being sure to shake off any excess flour.
• Working in batches if needed, carefully drop the blossoms into the oil. (Make sure not to overcrowd the pan.) Cook until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the blossoms to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and season lightly with sea salt. Serve immediately.
• (Alternatively, you can fry the blossoms over medium-high heat on a stovetop.)

RICOTTA STUFFED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Trim off ends of squash; cut squash in half (lengthwise). With a teaspoon scoop out seeds and part of the pulp leaving shells about 1/2 inch thick. Steam squash shells over boiling water until crisp-tender (about 5 minutes). Plunge into cold water, drain well and set aside.
• In a small frying pan over medium heat, melt one tablespoon of the butter. Add onion and garlic and cook until they are done. Squeeze the spinach to remove extra moisture and add to the garlic and onion and cook until thoroughly heated.
• In a medium size mixing bowl, combine eggs, ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and spinach mixture. Fill the squash halves with this mixture, about three tablespoons per shell and place squash in a shallow baking dish. Melt the remaining butter and brush over the squash shells
• Bake for 20 minutes. If desired, serve with tomato sauce.

CRISPY SQUASH BLOSSOMS FILLED WITH PULLED PORK AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place the ricotta in a strainer lined with cheesecloth over a bowl and let drain in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Discard liquid.
• Combine the strained ricotta and shredded pork in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Fill each squash blossom with the pork-cheese mixture and twist the top of the blossom to secure the filling while frying.
• Fill a large, heavy saucepan halfway with oil and heat on the stove until the temperature reaches 360 degrees F.
• Dredge each filled squash blossom in the rice batter to coat completely. Fry the squash blossoms in batches until lightly golden brown, turning once. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
• Drizzle some of the black pepper vinaigrette in the center of a serving plate and place 2 squash blossoms on top for each serving. Serve hot.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place pork cubes in a medium roasting pan. Stir together the BBQ sauce, vinegar, and onion and then pour mixture over the pork and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan with foil and cook in the oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until the meat is fork tender. Let cool in the braising liquid, then drain the liquid from the meat and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
• Whisk together water and flour until smooth and season with salt. Let sit 10 minutes before using.
• Combine vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and honey in a blender. With the machine running, slowly add the oil until emulsified.

SQUASH BLOSSOMS STUFFED WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Make tomato sauce:
• Cook garlic and red pepper flakes in oil in a 2-quarts heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, water, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Prepare squash blossoms:
• Stir together ricotta, yolk, mint, 1/3 cup parmesan, and 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
• Carefully open each blossom and fill with about 2 rounded teaspoon ricotta filling, gently twisting end of blossom to enclose filling. (You may have filling left over.)
• Whisk together flour, remaining 1/3 cup parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and seltzer in a small bowl.
• Heat 1/2 inch oil to 375°F in a 10-inch heavy skillet. Meanwhile, dip half of blossoms in batter to thinly coat. Fry coated blossoms, turning once, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes total. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. Coat and fry remaining blossoms. (Return oil to 375°F between batches.) Season with salt. Serve with tomato sauce.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• mix all the ingredients together and place in small pastry bag, or a ziplock bag with an end snipped off.
• open one end of the blossom gently and squeeze a small amount of cheese into the blossom. Due not overfill, you want enough to almost fill the blossom not to make it bulge.
• Refrigerate the blossoms for about 10-15 minutes while you get the egg mixture together.
• Lightly beat the eggs and add in milk, flour, cheese, and basil. Mix well. Egg Mixture should be about pancake mix thickness. If the mix is too thick the egg coating will be to thick and if its too thin it will run off.
• Heat a large sauté pan and then add about 1/4 inch of cooking oil to the pan.
• Dredge Zucchini Blossom in egg mixture, shed any excess egg and place into hot oil, continue the process till you fill the pan.
• Fry each side of the Blossom until golden brown, about two minutes on each side, the second side may cook faster, keep an eye on them.
• Place finished blossom on paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
• Place blossoms on serving tray and season with grated Romano cheese, sea salt and black pepper.

RICOTTA-STUFFED SQUASH BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Brush or carefully rinse the outside of the squash blossoms to clean, then gently open the flowers and remove the stamens. For more detailed instructions for cleaning and storing, please read my previous article, How To Clean and Cook Squash Blossoms.
• In a small bowl, stir the ricotta, basil, and minced garlic to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Fill a pastry bag or plastic Ziploc bag with the ricotta. Cut a small corner or the tip of the bag to pipe the cheese inside the blossoms. Use your fingers to press the petals to seal. If you don't use all of the ricotta, save leftovers for swiping across toasted bread.
• Make the batter by blending all of the ingredients in a large bowl until smooth. Don't overmix.
• Preheat a large pot over medium-high heat and fill with 1 to 2 inches of oil. Heat to 365°F.
• Dip each blossom into the batter and let the excess drip off. Carefully drop into the hot oil. Work in batches as needed and fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until crispy. The crust will not turn golden brown like many other batters.
• Transfer the fried blossoms to a plate covered with paper towels to soak up excess oil. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and a squeeze of lemon to serve.

RICOTTA-STUFFED SQUASH BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Mix together 6 ounces ricotta, 2 ounces grated mozzarella, and 2 tablespoons chopped chives; season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer to a piping bag or resealable plastic bag (cut tip). Pipe into 8 squash blossoms, stamens removed. Place 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs in a baking dish. Lightly beat 2 large eggs in another dish. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Dip blossoms in egg, then breadcrumbs.
• Cook, turning once, until golden, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with salt.