shrimp-stuffed fried zucchini blossoms
fiori di zucca fritti ai gamberi
TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes
MAKES: 4 appetizer servings
In place of the more traditional cheese, these blossoms are filled with a light shrimp, shallot, and marjoram mixture before getting fried to a perfect crispness.
Ingredients
- 32 large zucchini blossoms with 3- to 5-inch stems
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
- Fine sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 10 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh marjoram
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 cup chilled sparkling water
- Olive oil for frying
Special Equipment: a 10-inch disposable pastry bag or sealable plastic bag, a deep-fry thermometer
Instructions
Remove stems from blossoms and reserve. Remove pistils from flowers and discard. Chop stems into 1/4-inch pieces.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped stems, shallot and generous pinch salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, then transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Add shrimp and marjoram; pulse until finely chopped.
Transfer shrimp mixture to pastry bag. Snip a 1/3-inch opening and pipe filling into blossoms. Using your fingers, gently press petals around filling.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch and generous pinch salt. In a second clean, dry bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks. Fold whites into flour mixture. Add sparkling water by the 1/4-cupful, stirring between additions to incorporate completely. If batter is lumpy, whisk together until smooth.
In a deep skillet, heat 1 inch oil to 360°.
Holding petals closed and working quickly in batches, dip the blossoms, one at a time, in batter, coating blossoms completely and letting excess batter drip off. Fry coated blossoms in the oil, turning with a slotted spoon, until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes (adjust heat as necessary to keep oil around 360°). Using slotted spoon, transfer fried blossoms to paper towels to drain; sprinkle with salt. Let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm.
keywords:
appetizers, small plate, stuffed, fried, frying, awesome blossoms, seafood, shrimp, marjoram, battered
Other recipes you might like
Glossary
Understanding Italian food terms
Rapini
This is the Tuscan name of cime di rapa, broccoli di rapa, or broccoletti, better-known in this count...
© 2013 Quadratum USA. All rights reserved.












