How to Fry Daylily, Squash or Pumpkin Blossoms

It’s a delicacy, an elegance, or just downright thrifty. Your flower and vegetable garden has an often overlooked bounty just for the picking. Over the centuries Native Americans and Asian cultures ate the blossoms of the daylily, pumpkins and squash. More recently they have appeared on the menus of haute cuisine and five-star restaurants. Follow this recipe and you can introduce your family and friends to fried blossoms as a snack or appetizer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Blossoms
• Ice Water
• Flour
• Salt
• Baking Powder
• Water
• Vegetable Oil
• Frying Pan or Electric Skiller
• Paper Towels

1. Pick about two quarts of blossoms. You will need 4 to 6 pumpkin blossoms per person. If you’re using smaller squash blossoms or daylilies, you’ll need 10 to 12 per person. Remove the green spikes at the stem, but leave the stem intact. You can sometimes get these at a farmer’s market
2. Mix 1 cup of flour, I cup of water, ¼ teaspoon of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt. The mixture should be thin.
3. Heat oil to 375 degrees. If you don’t have a thermometer, then heat oil until hot but not smoking.
4. Hold the blossoms by the stem and skim the blossoms lightly through the batter. Too much batter will mask the delicate flavor. If you get too much on, dab the blossom on a paper towel to remove excess.
5. Place the blossom in the skillet and fry 30 to 45 seconds per side. They should be golden brown and crispy.
6. Place on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
7. Serve immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a recipe that my family has used for over 100 years. We use the ordinary roadside daylily variety for this recipe. If you’re concerned about diminishing your squash or pumpkin harvest later in the season, pick only the male blossoms. They are larger than the female blossoms and don’t produce fruit.
• Cumin, paprika, chili powder or ginger can be added to the batter or sprinkled on the top to taste.
• Make certain pesticides have not been used on any blossoms you use in this recipe.