Courgette flower

Fleur de courgette

What it is

The flowers sold on long bare stems are the male ones, since removing them costs the plant no fruit; the female bloom comes attached to a baby courgette and is picked far less often. Cut at dawn, a flower is firm by eight and collapsed by evening, which is why it has never travelled well.

In the kitchen

Pull the stamen out, it is bitter, and stuff with something already cooked or set, because the batter needs only two minutes and will not cook a filling. Mix the batter with ice-cold sparkling water and use it within a minute.

Goes with

Ricotta Parmesan Anchovy Basil Olive oil Lemon Mozzarella Mint

Same species

Butternut squash Kabocha Muscade de Provence squash Pattypan squash Red kuri squash Pumpkin

Also used with

Brocciu

In season alongside

Acacia honey Albacore Amethyst deceiver Brousse du Rove Chayote Roe deer

Something wrong here, or missing? Tell us