🇮🇹 Italian · Appetizer
🌼 Fiori di Zucca Ripieni
Fiori di Zucca Ripieni e Fritti
Delicate zucchini blossoms stuffed with mozzarella and anchovy, dipped in a light batter, and fried until crisp — a seasonal treat found across central and southern Italy each summer.
Zucchini flowers are famously fragile and short-lived, best used the same day they're picked, and their delicate flavor pairs beautifully with a simple, molten mozzarella filling beneath a light, crisp batter shell.
Ingredients
Equipment: Small bowl for batter, Deep pot for frying
- 12 fresh zucchini flowers
- 150 g (5.3 oz) fresh mozzarella, cut into small batons
- 6 anchovy fillets, halved (optional)
- 150 g (1⅛ cups) all-purpose flour
- 200 ml (¾ cup plus 1 tbsp) sparkling water, very cold
- Pinch of salt
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Method
- Gently clean the zucchini flowers, removing the inner pistil, and check for insects.
- Tuck a piece of mozzarella and half an anchovy fillet, if using, into each flower, twisting the tip gently to close.
- Whisk the flour, cold sparkling water, and salt together into a light, slightly lumpy batter — do not overmix.
- Heat vegetable oil to 180°C (350°F).
- Dip each stuffed flower into the batter, coating well, and carefully lower into the hot oil.
- Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes until light golden and crisp, turning once.
- Drain on paper towels and season lightly with salt.
- Serve immediately while hot and crisp.
Chef Tips
- Very cold sparkling water is key to a light, crisp batter — the cold and carbonation both help minimize gluten development.
- Don't overmix the batter; a few lumps are perfectly fine and even desirable.
- Zucchini flowers are extremely delicate and best used the same day they're purchased or picked.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the batter, which develops too much gluten and results in a heavier, less crisp coating.
- Overstuffing the flowers, making them difficult to close and prone to leaking filling during frying.
- Letting the oil temperature drop too low, resulting in greasy rather than crisp results.
Nutrition (per serving)
Health Benefits
- A good source of calcium from the mozzarella; best enjoyed as an occasional treat given the frying.
Cultural Note
Fiori di zucca fritti are a beloved summer specialty across central and southern Italy, appearing on trattoria menus whenever fresh zucchini flowers are in season.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Best eaten immediately; these do not hold or reheat well.
Reheating: Not recommended; best enjoyed fresh and hot.
Serve with: Lemon wedges, As part of a summer antipasto spread