They're small and delicate, but have an unmistakable flavor: squash blossoms are a beloved, versatile ingredient that lends itself to the creation of many different recipes. Also known as "fiorilli" when they're still closed, squash blossom are typical of the hot summer months (although they can now be found year-round), and are characterized by petals that almost resemble lilies and a golden yellow color with orange streaks. You surely know they're delicious, just as you know they're a short-lived food that should be consumed quickly and stored with care, but did you know that there are female and male flowers? And that you often eat zucchini blossom too, even if you've probably never realized it? Here are all the fun facts you still don't know about squash blossom.
1. Squash Blossoms But Also Zucchini Blossom
You're usually used to squash blossom, but zucchini blossoms also exist, and you may have eaten them without even realizing it. The two flowers are, in fact, extremely similar, with very few differences: zucchini blossoms are larger, have pointed petals, and are a very bright yellow color, while squash blossom are smaller, with slightly rounded petals and a dull yellow color. Furthermore, squash blossoms have an intense aroma, while zucchini blossoms have almost no odor at all. Despite the differences, however, confusion is legitimate because they are edible inflorescences produced by two plants: the pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbina moschata) and the zucchini (Cucurbita pepo), which therefore belong to the same botanical genus of the Cucurbitaceae.
2. There Are Male Flowers and Female Flowers
This fact may come as a surprise, but in the case of squash blossoms (and zucchini blossoms as well), there is a distinction: they are not "neutral" plants, but rather male and female flowers. Recognizing them is very simple: the female flowers are attached to the fruit, therefore directly to the squash or zucchini, while the male flowers grow attached to the stem, called the peduncle. They do not bear fruit but are necessary for pollination. Both flowers are generally used in cooking, but picking them has two opposite effects: the female flowers are the ones that lead to the production of squash and zucchini, so picking them stunts the growth of the vegetable, while the male flowers serve for pollination, and therefore their harvesting stunts the spread and overall growth of the plant. Both are important, which is why harvesting must be done in a balanced way so as to collect a mix of the two, to avoid stunting one of the two growths.
3. They Are Harvested Strictly in The Morning
The harvesting of squash blossom isn't a random process, but rather occurs at a specific time of day: they are best picked in the early hours of the morning, when they bloom and can be found fully open. Female flowers can be picked immediately, while male flowers are best left to wait a few hours after they open to allow for some or all of the pollination.
4. The Pistil Must Be Removed, But It's Still Edible
Since squash blossoms can be either male or female, both contain the female or male reproductive organ, called the pistil or stamen, respectively, and this part must be removed when cleaning the flower for cooking. The reason is very simple: they have a slightly bitter taste, which sometimes intensifies with cooking. This doesn't mean they're inedible; in fact, the pistil can also be used (for example, as a garnish on pasta or risotto), but it must first be lightly blanched and frozen to eliminate the bitterness.
5. They Can Also Be Eaten Raw
Squash blossoms, as you well know, are delicious when cooked: you can eat them with eggs in delicious omelettes, add them to risottos or savory pies, or choose a traditional recipe like classic Roman-style squash blossoms, stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies, battered and fried. What you may not know is that squash blossoms can also be eaten raw, the ideal choice to appreciate them at their purest. Try adding them, for example, to a salad, or prepare a squash and zucchini blossom carpaccio.
6. CNN Has Proclaimed Them Among the 10 Best Fried Foods in The World
In 2022, CNN compiled a ranking of the 30 best fried foods in the world, and along with some globally beloved fried delicacies, "zucchini blossoms," or fried squash blossoms, stand out. They're not the only Italian specialties to appear in the ranking—arancini, fried pizza, and fried fish also feature—but they're certainly less well-known than the other three to foreign audiences.
7. They Improve Your Mood
It's not just an urban legend: some foods have the ability to relieve stress, calm irritability and tension, provide a burst of energy, and even improve mood. Squash blossoms fall into this category because, thanks to their nutritional profile, they have both a tonic and a relaxing effect on an overly tense nervous system. This is due, in particular, to their high content of vitamins A, B, and C, which have antioxidant and neuroprotective effects and help manage nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia.
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