Il Cucinologo
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Piadina with Stuffed and Fried Zucchini Blossoms

17/11/2023

Piadina with stuffed and fried zucchini blossoms is an original pairing that combines the tradition of Romagnola piadina with the delicate flavor of zucchini blossoms. Let’s take a look at the ingredients and the method together.

Ingredients

For the piadina:

  • 250 g of 00 flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (or 5 g of dehydrated sourdough if you prefer)
  • A pinch of salt
  • Warm water as needed
  • 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil

For the stuffed zucchini blossoms:

  • 10 zucchini blossoms
  • 200 g of ricotta
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • Nutmeg as needed
  • 1 egg (for the filling)
  • Flour as needed (for breading)
  • 1 egg (for breading)
  • Breadcrumbs as needed (for breading)
  • Seed oil for frying

Preparation

For the piadina:

  1. Mix the flour with the baking soda and salt in a bowl.
  2. Add the oil and gradually pour in the warm water, kneading until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough.
  3. Form a ball, cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
  4. Divide the dough into smaller balls and roll them out with a rolling pin until you get discs of the desired width.
  5. Cook the piadine on a hot griddle or in a hot pan for a couple of minutes per side, until golden.

For the zucchini blossoms:

  1. Gently clean the zucchini blossoms by removing the inner pistil.
  2. Prepare the filling by mixing the ricotta with the egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper and a grating of nutmeg.
  3. Stuff the zucchini blossoms with the ricotta mixture, being careful not to break them.
  4. Prepare a light batter with flour, water and a pinch of salt (the consistency should be similar to that of a crepe).
  5. Dip each blossom in the batter, then in the beaten egg and finally in the breadcrumbs.
  6. Heat plenty of seed oil in a pan and, when hot, fry the zucchini blossoms until golden and crispy.
  7. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

To serve, arrange the stuffed and fried zucchini blossoms on a warm piadina especially in the center, so you can roll it or fold it in half without the filling spilling out. You can add fresh salad for a touch of crunchiness if you like.

Trivia

Zucchini blossoms are a highly appreciated ingredient in Italian cuisine, especially for their delicate texture and subtle flavor. Stuffed and fried, they become a sophisticated and delicious dish often served as an appetizer in many trattorias.