Fried Zucchini Blossoms
The ultimate summer starter, incredibly beautiful and flavorful.
Ingredients:
12-16 zucchini blossoms
1 cup ricotta
1 large egg yolk
¾ cup Grana-style cheese, divided
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
¾ cup chilled seltzer water or club soda
¼ cup finely-chopped mint
2 tablespoons each finely-chopped parsley and basil
3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Stir together ricotta, egg yolk, herbs, half of the cheese and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a small bowl.
2. Carefully open each blossom and fill with about 2-3 rounded teaspoons of the ricotta filling, gently twisting the end of the blossom to enclose. Tip: Use a pastry bag for this! (You may have filling left over.)
3. Whisk together flour, remaining cheese, about ¼ teaspoon salt, and seltzer in a small bowl.
4. Heat ½ inch oil to 375° in a 10-inch heavy skillet. Meanwhile, dip blossoms in the flour batter to thinly coat. Fry coated blossoms, turning once, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes total. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. Coat and fry remaining blossoms. (Return oil to 375° between batches.) Season with salt and serve immediately.
Warm & Cozy Recipes
Warm yourself body and soul this week with a lineup centered around one of our all-time fall favorites: cozy risotto crafted from Arborio rice, a trio of locally-foraged mushrooms and our signature chicken stock, and finished with a dollop of our rich and creamy housemade ricotta cheese. Also including Gruyère cheese bread and a blended French red wine, this box is flush with seasonal produce like Lacinato kale, turnips, Parisian Market carrots, mixed heirloom tomatoes and a wealth of crisp salad greens. Cuddle up in your favorite armchair and enjoy!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Crafted with a medley of wild mushrooms, this creamy risotto is a favorite here at the farm on chilly evenings.
Meyer-Lemon-Garlic Kale Salad
Tossed with a tart citrus dressing, this bright and fresh salad pairs beautifully with a bowl of risotto!
Butter-Braised Carrots with Thyme
Braised in sweet butter and tossed with garlic and thyme, these carrots are truly sublime.
Glazed Hakurei Turnips
These buttery glazed turnips are sure to delight.
Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Custard
Ready in 10 minutes, this thick, creamy custard makes for a stunningly-simple dessert.
Cinnamon Cap Mushroom & Ricotta Crostini
This elegant little starter is a beautiful showcase for this week’s Cinnamon Cap mushrooms.
Ingredients:
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 ounces Cinnamon Cap mushrooms, wiped clean and trimmed
1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 miniature sweet red peppers, seeded and sliced
4 tablespoons ricotta, drained
A few sprouts of chives, or other combination of fresh herbs, such as parsley or lovage, snipped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 slices Italian Rustica bread
Method:
1. Set a heavy frying pan, big enough to hold all the mushrooms in one layer, over medium high heat and add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Add the garlic and shake the pan to coat the garlic and keep it from sticking, cooking until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add mushrooms and peppers, salt and pepper and fry gently for a few minutes until peppers have softened and mushrooms are golden.
2. Meanwhile, drizzle the bread slices with a bit of olive oil and toast under the broiler on both sides. When toasted, divide ricotta and sautéed vegetables between the slices. Sprinkle with the snipped herbs and serve immediately.
