Courgette Flowers - How Do I Cook Them?

[vicki]

I know you can eat courgette flowers but how do you cook them?
I was wondering if anybody has cooked with them before and could give me some tips - stuff, bake, fry or what?

I have plenty of flowers, just don't know what to do with them and it seems a shame to chuck them away!!!

[leona]

i saw a method on tv. they had a load o courgettes chopped into little bits which were seasoned and i think mixed with a bit of cream. then the flowers were stuffed and deep fryed in veg oil. havent tried it but i will be when i get more on my plants

[Alice]

Well you can cook them Vicki, but I wouldn't bother. There is a fad in 4 star hotels for stuffing them with whatever and it looks very intriguing on the menu but they actually don't taste of anything but whatever the stuffing was and the batter they were dipped in. So unless you are having a very posh dinner party and want to give yourself no end of bother, don't bother. Otherwise, you can sprinkle them on the salad along with the nasturium flowers and chive flowers. Looks gorgeous for no great effort, but no great flavour either. Overall, a nice idea which is decorative rather than practical. But if you do want to give it a go stuff the courgette flowers with whatever you like, dip them in a light batter, fry in deep fat and serve at once with a visually appealing salad. Wish you many happy hours in the kitchen.

[andrewo]

Cook your courgette(s) with butter until they go soft, almost pulp like mush, season, stuff flowers, then dip flowers in batter and fry. Bob's your uncle.

[Sunbeam]

Batter 'em! Not in the bashing sense, but stuff them with something nice like a cream cheese & herb stuffing, dip them in a tempura batter -very very light & made with fizzy water - then vey quickly fry them ...yum!

[Filbert]

Sounds interesting to try. Can you eat the male and the female courgette flowers?

[sewer rat]

Hi Filbert and welcome to the 'Vine.
You can indeed eat both the male and female flowers but from what some other grapes have posted below, I don't think I'd bother - not even to impress the OH

[JennieAtkinson]

I deep fry them in batter with a filling (normally fried and mashed cougettes, onions and parmesan) but on TWO occasions only as they are SOOOO full of calories. We find it a real treat.

Thanks for the tip about sparkling water for a Tempura batter Sumbeam - sounds good!

[vicki]

cheers for the tips guys. I think I'll have a go just out of curiousity - fancy stuffing then frying them - the diet can wait til tomorrow - again!!!
I've beengiven a recipe for courgette and courgette flower risotto as well, will post it on when I have a minute!

[kentish girl]

I don't eat them but my boss is from Italy & she batters & frys them, so I keep her & her father supplied.

[budmap]

this is my first year growing veg and was wondering what to do with my courgettes now i know

[number 1 suspect]

My mother in law is Sicilian and she makes a batter of self raising flour and water mixed to a thick creamy consistancy. to this she adds the flowers along with chopped toms cauliflower and some basil and oregano. Drop this into the oiled pan, olive oil of course. and fry till golden. Family go mad for these when i do them over here. You can add any veg/ herbs you like. Just enjoy :-)