Squash blossoms and baked pizza, something unique when squash blossoms are among the ingredients. Their yellow-orange color attracts us a bit; this warm color tone is almost like a natural tanning agent, as well as being a treasure trove of vitamins such as vitamin A and more. Let’s say it’s an ally of our health. The substance in yellow-orange colored vegetables, like pumpkin, carrot, and naturally squash blossoms, is beta-carotene, a valuable antioxidant that stimulates the production of melanin responsible for tanning. Squash blossoms don’t have great nutritional value; they don’t contain proteins, fats, or sugars, and for the joy of those on a diet, every 100 grams of blossoms have only 12 calories. So the blossoms are consumed more for their tastiness and lightness, like this recipe of mine today, which is actually not a pizza and not even squash blossoms in batter, but both together, a tasty appetizer.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Rest time: 1 Hour
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer
- Energy 244.72 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 49.82 (g) of which sugars 1.94 (g)
- Proteins 9.23 (g)
- Fat 2.66 (g) of which saturated 0.91 (g)of which unsaturated 1.71 (g)
- Fibers 8.71 (g)
- Sodium 705.45 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 120 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp fresh yeast
- to taste salt
- 8 squash blossoms
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
Tools
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Baking Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Plastic Wrap
- Liquid Measuring Cup
Steps to Prepare the Squash Blossoms
In the bowl, put the flour with the egg, yeast with sugar, salt, and half of the water
With the help of a whisk, start mixing all the ingredients
add the remaining water
and always stir to ensure there are no lumps.
Let the batter rest covered with plastic wrap for 1 hour
Meanwhile, wash and clean the squash blossoms, open them like a book, and gently remove the stem and pistil without tearing them. Let them dry on a clean cloth.
When the batter is ready, dip the open and dry squash blossoms into it
On the baking tray lined with parchment paper and a drizzle of oil, place the battered squash blossoms
arrange them side by side to resemble a pizza.
Bake the squash blossoms and pizza in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes
Here’s a simple and alternative way to prepare battered blossoms without frying them, yet still delicious
A Little Tip
When preparing spaghetti with garlic, oil, and chili pepper, cut the washed and stem/pistil-free blossoms into strips. Put them in the colander, and when the spaghetti is ready, drain it in the colander with the blossoms inside. Season the spaghetti as usual, turning it in the oil with garlic and chili pepper along with the blossoms that have lightly blanched. They will give the spaghetti an extra kick, remember to add some grated Pecorino cheese.
