Obsessed With Zucchini Blossoms!

--Not just because I planted too many zucchini plants, per usual, but also because they are so darn cute stuffed, tossed in a salad or adorning a soup.   I am not alone in this obsession, recipes abound in print and on the web. Check out the links beneath the photos.  

 Squash Blossom Salad

Mexican Squash Blossom Soup

Baked Blossoms Stuffed With Ricotta & Basil

Elizabeth Bard also has a great blog this month about blossoms with a recipe for stuffing the blossoms with a mixture of cheese mint.

Squash Blossoms With Burrata & Tapenade

A new favorite is the one below from The New York Times.  As the writer, Melissa Clark notes, you don’t have to have a garden to enjoy these colorful and delicious blossoms as they are now available in many stores and farmer’s markets. 

Zucchini Blossoms With Burrata and Tapenade

By MELISSA CLARK, New York Times, July 11, 2012  

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted mixed black olives, coarsely chopped
• 3 anchovy fillets, chopped
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for garnish
• 12 squash blossoms
• 1 piece burrata or buffalo mozzarella
• Coarse sea salt.

Preparation

1.

In a food processor, combine olives, anchovy, garlic, rosemary and lemon zest. Using the pulse button, process until coarsely chopped and well blended. Continue to process, slowly adding 3 tablespoons olive oil.

2.

Cut a lengthwise slit in each blossom. Spoon about 1 tablespoon burrata and 1/2 teaspoon tapenade into each blossom (you may not use all of the cheese or tapenade). Pinch closed. Transfer blossoms to a platter. Drizzle generously with oil and sprinkle with salt.

YIELD

6 servings.  

Planting Trees & Provence

Cezanne - Pine Tree near Aix

He who plants a tree, plants a hope

~Lucy Larcom, "Plant a Tree"

Reading Carol Drinkwater’s books about establishing an olive tree farm in Provence led me on a jag of reading other books about planting trees in Provence.  I ran across a wonderful allegorical tale by Jean Giono, viz., "The Man Who Planted Trees."  The tale recounts the solitary reforestation efforts of a hermit in Provence.  The short story is beautifully written and was made into an Oscar winning animated film, with Christopher Plummer reading Giono’s inspiring story.  The film is available from Netflix or you can watch it for free in three parts on Youtube.  

Plant a tree & eat some olives!  Below is a favorite tapenade recipe adapted from one of Georgeanne Brennan's recipes.  


Green Olive & Almond Tapenade

4 cups pitted green olives 

4 anchovy fillets

1 cup of toasted chopped almonds

1 1/2 tablespoons of minced garlic 

1 tablespoon of rinsed & drained capers 

1 teaspoon of lemon juice 

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend.  The tapenade tastes better if made the day prior to serving.