Fiori di Zucca

The lovely saffron-orange blossoms of zucchini and squash vines are known as fiori di zucca. Fiori di zucca has a delicate yet distinctively earthy, flowery flavor and perfume that tantalizes the mouth as much as the eyes. There are fifteen different varieties of zucchini and other varieties of squash, each of which bears mouthwatering flowers, according to All About Gardening. The contemporary zucchini was first grown by Italians in the nineteenth century. Zucchini flowers are a Roman delicacy that is served over pizza, pasta, and pancakes as well as eaten raw on salads and frittered as an appetizer.

Fritters made from fiori di zucca are delicious and simple to make. The delicate petals are packed with thin buffalo mozzarella slices and a thin anchovy filet before being battered in a mixture of flour and sparkling water, according to "Tasting Rome." The petals are then compressed tightly before the filled flower is dropped into extremely hot oil and cooked for a few minutes until evenly browned. In the late summer and early fall, Roman pizza frequently includes fiori di zucca. Fresh pizza dough brushed with olive oil should be topped with a scattering of fiori di zucca arranged in a lovely design. Add a liberal amount of mozzarella, then bake at a high temperature for a few minutes, or until the cheese melts and the crust is crunchy.. If you visit Rome in late summer and autumn, fiori di zucca will be everywhere.