Plant a Zucchini and Feed the World

My husband says if you plant one zucchini you can feed the world. It's true that they're a pretty prolific plant and they're pretty easy to grow. But what if, like my husband, you think you don't like zucchini? Actually, they're pretty good in so many things as well as being good for you.

My favorite thing with zucchini is--now don't laugh until you try it--fried zucchini blossoms. Although not part of the typical American diet, wow! They should be! Fry them in butter after dredging them in an egg batter, lightly salted. 100% pure YUM!  Besides that, the blossoms are a great filler in cheese quesadillas and are often used as a diet staple in real Mexican homes. They're also a cooking ingredient in Italy and add a nice touch to baked pasta.  Zucchini, squash or pumpkin blossoms just don't fit with what we think of as Italian or Mexican food. I'm just saying give them a fair try!

The problem with mass marketing zucchini blossoms is that they are fragile. That makes the fun of growing and enjoying your own something pretty rare. When you gather them, and they will continue producing throughout our growing season, simply place the blossoms in a bowl of cold, salted water and allow them to crisp a bit. Then drain and cook. The blossoms of any variety of the squash or pumpkin families can be used.

With two to four plants, any blossoms that move on to produce fruit should provide plenty of fresh pickings for your other squash recipes. Remember that most squash varieties are versatile enough to be fried, used in an array of salads or baked into breads and cakes. The plants require little care but do best with plenty of rain or watering. Remember, plant a zucchini and feed the world!