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Squash Blossoms Stuffed with Ricotta

From Kansas State Student Farm CSA

<p>As a Southerner, I know everything tastes better fried. This fact of life doesn&#8217;t exclude squash blossoms! The blossoms taste like a tender, exceptionally flavorful squash, and they are simply irresistible. I pulled this recipe off of epicurious.com, but normally I just fry the blossoms in oil after smothering them in a light tempura batter. Enjoy!</p>
Source: epicurious.com -- & Farm Manager Sarah Masterson (Entered by Rhonda Janke)
Serves: 2 main course servings (or 4 appetizer servings)
Vegetarian!

Ingredients
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp. hot pepper flakes
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 lb. plum tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 cup whole-milk ricotta (preferably fresh)
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup finely chopped mint
2/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided
12-16 large zucchini/squash blossoms
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chilled seltzer or club soda
3 cups vegetable oil for frying

Step by Step Instructions
  1. Make tomato sauce: For Tomato Sauce: Cook garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil in a 2-quarts heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, water, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 25 to 30 minutes.
  2. To prepare squash blossoms: Stir together ricotta, yolk, mint, 1/3 cup parmesan, and 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
  3. Carefully open each blossom and fill with about 2 rounded teaspoon ricotta filling, gently twisting end of blossom to enclose filling. (You may have filling left over.)
  4. Whisk together flour, remaining 1/3 cup parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and seltzer in a small bowl.
  5. Heat 1/2 inch oil to 375°F in a 10-inch heavy skillet. Meanwhile, dip half of blossoms in 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°F between batches.) Season with salt. Serve with tomato sauce.
  6. Cooks' note: Tomato sauce and ricotta filling can be made 1 day ahead and chilled. Reheat sauce before serving.