Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossoms
| Serves | 4 |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cheese |
| Menu Part | Appetizer/Small Plate |
Chef Mitchell Steller
Downtown Wine Merchants
Oakland, Calif.
Squash blossoms appear just as the zucchini and summer squash pops up on the vine. Chef Mitchell Steller of Downtown Wine Merchants in Oakland, Calif. stuffs the yellow blossoms with an herbed ricotta mixture and serves them over a spring green fava bean puree. A plant-forward dish to elevate and brighten the summer menu.
Ingredients
Fava puree
2 lb. fava beans
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
¼ cup hard aged cheese
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Squash blossoms
1 cup ricotta cheese
¼ cup roasted pistachio nuts, crushed
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
1 tbsp. chopped tarragon
1 tbsp. chopped chives
Salt and pepper, to taste
12 squash blossoms
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Arugula and espelette oil, for garnish
Steps
1. For fava puree, bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Shell fava beans; blanch in boiling water for approximately 30 seconds. Remove from water and submerge in ice bath for 2 minutes. Strain, then peel the outer casing of beans.
2. In food processor, combine peeled beans, lemon zest and juice and Parmesan cheese. Pulse, adding olive oil slowly until smooth yet grainy texture is achieved. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
3. For squash blossoms, in large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, pistachios, parsley, tarragon and chives. Season with salt and pepper. Place mixture in refrigerator to chill and firm.
4. Once cold, roll cheese into 12 quenelles. Slide quenelles deep inside squash blossoms.
5. To serve, prepare plates with fava puree and sprinkle with arugula leaves. Heat oil in large saute pan; flash fry blossoms for 20 seconds on each side. Plate 3 blossoms on each plate and drizzle with espelette or extra virgin olive oil.
Photo courtesy of California Milk Advisory Board