Courgette Flowers

Baked Courgette Flowers

This is a wonderful way to celebrate the summer. Whether you call them courgette flowers or zucchini blossoms, these delicate wonders are truly unique. With just a handful of ingredients, you will have yourself a lovely summery starter. The crispy breadcrumbs, creamy soft ricotta and the punchy, fragrant herbs all marry so well together.

Ingredients:

6 courgette flowers

125g fresh ricotta

3 tbsp freshly chopped herbs – I used parsley, mint and chives

Zest of half a lemon

Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

1 egg, lightly beaten

50g breadcrumbs (panko breadcrumbs are best for this)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180C and line a baking tray with foil or baking parchment and lightly coat with olive oil.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, herbs, lemon zest and season to taste.
3. Transfer the ricotta mixture to a small piping bag or Ziploc bag (you can snip the corner later and use it as a piping bag). Leave to one side.
4. To prepare the courgette flowers, slit each blossom from the base – about 4 cm. Reach into each blossom and pull off the stamen.
5. If using a Ziploc bag, snip the corner of the bag.
6. Pipe the ricotta mixture into each blossom and twist the petals at the top to seal.
7. Dip each flower into the egg mixture followed by the breadcrumbs.
8. Line the stuffed flowers onto the baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes until light golden.
9. Serve immediately.

Kumud Gandhi

Kumud Gandhi is a Nutritional Food Scientist bestselling Author, Broadcaster, and Keynote Speaker on the subject of nutritional health for productivity & performance in the workplace.  In 2010 Kumud founded ‘The Cooking Academy’ a cookery school that focusses on cooking for nutritional health and wellbeing.  Kumud regularly presents to international audiences on a variety of topics such as ‘Eating for Immunity and a Lifetime of Wellness’. She is an expert in the field of Wellness in the Workplace and works with organizations to create transformational change in employee health & well-being through nutrition and health coaching.