The Conversation
There’s something about nibbling on edible flowers that just feels fancy, indulgent — who doesn’t love that? We’ve gathered together 15 dazzling recipes for one of the most popular esculent blooms out there: squash blossoms. Whether you’ve spotted packs of the bright orange and green flowers at your local farmers’ market and didn’t know where to begin, or are old pro at stuffing and frying ’em up and simply need an updated approach, we have you covered!
1. Spring Vegetable Lasagna with Heirloom Tomato Béchamel: Loaded with layers of veggies and creamy cheese, this fresh lasagna is a terrific one-pot meal. (via O&O Eats)
2. Squash Blossom Soup: Like eating a bowl of sunshine, this vibrant soup is packed with summer produce! (via Kitchen Konfidence)
3. Zucchini Blossom Fritters: Squash blossoms are paired with Parmesan and fresh basil then enrobed in a light batter to create these irresistible fritters. (via The Parsley Thief)
4. Zucchini, Corn and Chèvre-Stuffed Squash Blossoms: This recipe features a unique-yet-simple technique for preparing squash blossoms that promises to preserve their bright colors — click over to learn more! (via Bojon Gourmet)
5. Zucchini Blossom & Mozzarella Baked Eggs: An impressive recipe to throw together the next time you host brunch. (via Bitchin Camero)
6. Baked Squash Blossoms Stuffed with Beet Hummus (Vegan, Gluten-free): Stuffed squash blossoms get a healthy update with this baked, cheese-free version. (via Dolly and Oatmeal)
7. Maltagliati Pasta with Summer Vegetables Recipe: A glut of produce combines with pasta and briny ricotta salata to create a dish that screams summer. (via Aida Mollenkamp)
8. Squash Blossom Quesadillas: A thoughtful balance of flavors is featured in these quesadillas made with only five ingredients. (via Leite’s Culinaria)
9. Shaved-Squash Salad with Tomatoes, Zucchini Blossoms, Ricotta, and Thyme Oil: A playful combination of shaved squash shapes — some into ribbons, other rounds — coupled with blossoms and basil leaves creates a gorgeous salad that’s almost too pretty to eat! (via Martha Stewart)
10. Baby Zucchini and Blossoms with Sofrito: Flavorful and finely textured baby zucchini with their blossoms still attached are a natural pairing for aromatic sofrito. (via Herbivoracious)
11. Zucchini and Squash Blossom Soufflés: Each bite of this cloud-like cheese soufflé is dotted with a taste of delicate blossoms. (via The New York Times)
12. No-Knead Pizza Dough + Squash Blossom, Roasted Tomato and Pesto Pie: Throw these pizzas on the grill to bake when it’s too hot to light the oven — it doesn’t get much more summery than that! (via Two of a Kind)
13. Panko-crusted Baked Squash Blossom with Garden Herb Ricotta: Mint, sorrel and a dash of lemon zest lend just enough flavor to the cheese filling, allowing the blossom’s faint flavor to still shine through. (via Food to Glow)
14. Squash Blossom Frittata: Leeks, summer squash and the latter’s blossoms combine to create this stunning-yet-healthy frittata. (via Seaweed and Sassafras)
15. Squash Blossom Muffins: A bright surprise awaits in the center of these sweet-and-savory muffins! (via Chef Dennis)
Stuffed, sliced, fried, fresh — what’s your favorite way to use squash blossoms? Let us know in the comments below!
Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.
More From Recipes
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.
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