It's June 1st, but it's not too late to plant zucchini seeds! Our Summer Squash Black Beauty Zucchini produces a huge crop of tender zucchini squash during the summer - and they are super fast growing, they start to harvest in 55 days! We direct sow the seeds in mounds in the garden, zucchini plants grow fast and don't like to get root bound, so starting them indoors is unnecessary.
It's June...
Is it too late to plant seeds?
There are plenty of other veggies that you can plant in June!
Think: lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets...
Think: lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets...
Transplanting tomatoes?
What is the best way to transplant tomato plants?
Did you know that you can eat the beautiful zucchini blossoms?
We like to stuff them with hummus or cheese and garlic, hot pepper flakes, and basil then dunk them in a simple flour and soda water batter and fry in a cast iron skillet. YUM! See recipe lower below...
We like to stuff them with hummus or cheese and garlic, hot pepper flakes, and basil then dunk them in a simple flour and soda water batter and fry in a cast iron skillet. YUM! See recipe lower below...
It's best to pick the male flowers, as shown above, which do not produce fruit, unless you already have a ton of zucchini! The male blossoms are the first to appear on zucchini plants, and have a long, thin stem. Female blossoms have a swollen base (baby zucchini) so it's pretty easy to tell the difference!
Zucchini Blossoms Recipe
8-12 Squash Blossoms
(zucchini, pumpkin, or squash flowers)
Fresh Basil and Oregano or Sage Leaves (1/2 cup+)
Hummus (homemade or store-bought)
or
Ricotta Cheese (1 cup+)
Diced Garlic (3+ cloves)
(zucchini, pumpkin, or squash flowers)
Fresh Basil and Oregano or Sage Leaves (1/2 cup+)
Hummus (homemade or store-bought)
or
Ricotta Cheese (1 cup+)
Diced Garlic (3+ cloves)
Salt and pepper to taste
Batter Option: Flour & Soda Water or Beer
Combine hummus or ricotta cheese with diced garlic, basil or sage leaves.
Carefully open the flowers and place the hummus or ricotta cheese mix inside with a small spoon. Close each blossom and twist slightly to seal. If desired, you can coat the blossoms with a batter mix of flour and soda water (mix enough flour and soda or beer that it is a somewhat drippy batter.)
Bake: Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
~ Or ~
Pan fry them: Fry the blossoms in a cast iron skillet with oil, flip to brown both sides.
Bake: Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
~ Or ~
Pan fry them: Fry the blossoms in a cast iron skillet with oil, flip to brown both sides.
Another great use of zucchini is this delicious:
