Produce Briefs...
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Baby Green Zucchini with Flower is available year round with a peak season in spring.
Current Facts
Baby Green zucchini squash is of the species, Cucurbita pepo, along with other squashes, gourds and pumpkins. There are essentially three types of squash: constricted neck, zucchini and winter. Green zucchini is the quintessential summer squash, easily the most grown of all summer squashes and perhaps one of the most versatile. Baby Green zucchini blossoms are the female fruit-bearing flower of squash plants. The male flower, known as Macho blossom, grows directly from the stem of the plant's trailing vines and pollinates the female blossoms. Green zucchini plants have been dubbed "garden overachievers" as they are prolific and profligate producers that can take over a garden. Flowers that are plucked prior to pollination will curb production of the plant.
Description/Taste
Baby Green zucchini blossoms are fragile and yet as they are attached to the fruit of the plant, the fruit's life force extends to the blossom's shelf-life as they are connected. The blossoms are faintly fuzzed, featherwight, tissue-paper thin and once mature the broad and pointed flower petals close inward. The blossom's coloring is vibrant orange at its tip, with variegations of gold and green to its stem end. Their flavor is subtle, yet true to squash in all notes, slightly sweet and reminiscent of corn, grassy and succulent, suggestive that the blossom carries with it a large percentage of water weight. The fruit of the Baby Green zucchini is lean, petit and cylindrical. Its skin is glossy, deep green with faint cream freckles. Its flesh is crisp and creamy with an underdeveloped seed cavity due to its youth. Its flavor, peppery and complex with grassy undertones, creating a perfect contrast to the more subtle flavors of the flower.
Applications
Baby Green zucchini with flower can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw blossoms and sliced zucchini can be added to salads, served within a crudite and simply eaten fresh out of hand. The best way to experience the blossoms cooked is to saute, pan or deep fry the blossom stuffed with a soft cheese. The blossoms can easily be removed from the stem of the fruit, allowing for dual preparations. Traditional preparations include adding the blossoms and slices of the zucchini fruit to quesadillas and pizzas alongside melting cheeses, pasilla and jalapeno chiles, corn, tomatoes, basil and truffles. Other complimentary pairings include stewed pork, black beans, cream, mushrooms, cooked eggs, garlic, cilantro, pine nuts, pepitas, olive oil and light bodied vinegars.
Geography/History
Squash is a New World fruit native to Mexico, the oldest archeological remains date back to 7000 BC. Their importance as a food crop evolved during the pre-Colombia era in the Americas. Summer zucchini varieties, however saw much of their commercial prosperity develop in Italy, generations after their introduction from the New World, which attributes to zucchini's placement within Italy's culinary history. As with so many culinary ingredients in Latin and Italian cuisine, the presence of Zucchini blossoms as food evolved out of the principle that all edible plant and animal parts should be used, nothing is discarded.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-9100 |
| Tuscany | Carlsbad CA | 760-929-8111 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Hard Rock Hotel Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-702-3000 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Green Zucchini with Flower. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Indigo's Sugar Spectrum |
|
Stuffed & Pan Fried Squash Blossoms |
