FIORI DI ZUCCA SALTATI (Sautéed zucchini blossoms)

Zucchini blossoms, also known as squash blossoms and pumpkin flowers, are simply the beautiful, edible and nutritious flowers of either Winter or Summer squashes. Their flavor profile is light and delicate, with a hint of the squash itself. These beauties are low in calories (5 per cup) and loaded with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals which are needed for a healthy and happy body and mind. Zucchini flowers are a good source of vitamins A, C and some of the B kind, as well as minerals such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium. You can grow it in your garden or find them from late Spring to early Fall at your local farmer's market and select grocery stores. They are fragile and quite perishable and thus should be eaten as soon as possible. A typical way to prepare them is to stuff with fresh ricotta or mascarpone cheese and deep fry them, but you can enjoy them raw in a salad or sauté them for a lighter version. Squash blossoms might look fancy, but they are actually pretty easy to prepare. Here is a simple, quick (about 6 minutes from start to finish!) and delicious recipe to try:
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SAUTEED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS 

• 6 zucchini (or squash) blossoms
• 1 tsp organic ghee or extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 lemon (for zest and juice)

Garnish (optional):

• vegan almond ricotta, crumbled
• crushed pistachios (can also use walnuts, almonds or pignoli/pine nuts)

To prepare, gently open the petals of each blossom and rinse them out, checking for any lingering bugs inside. Heat a sauté pan and add a little oil (ghee, olive, avocado or grass-fed butter.) Add garlic and allow it to caramelize for about 30 seconds. Arrange a single layer of the zucchini blossoms on your pan and cook for about 10 seconds before turning them over for 10 more seconds on the second side. Squeeze the juice of a 1/4 to 1/2 lemon and remove from heat. Gently place the blossoms on a serving platter and top with the zest of half a lemon and some more of the juice. Crumble some vegan almond ricotta (or goat cheese, mascarpone) and pistachios on top and eat as is or as a topping for whole grain or grain-free pizza or pasta. Enjoy and tell me what you think!

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