Squash blossom

The exquisite blooms of summer squash are certainly familiar to you if you've ever grown them in your yard. You might not be aware, though, that the squash's blooms are also tasty. Although many varieties of summer squash can develop these flowers, zucchini is the most common. Bright yellow zucchini blossoms have a long, rounded bell form. These blooms may be cut and added to salads or eaten raw as a garnish. Another great choice, if you're in the mood for something decadent, is to load the blooms with herbed cheeses and fry or bake them until the delicate petals are crispy.

If you want to eat the blossoms, you don't have to sacrifice your squash crop. Stick to consuming the male flowers to ensure a complete harvest since only the female blooms can develop into squash. The male blooms are often found on the plant's outer margins and have a long, slender stalk. Female flowers often develop nearer to the center of the plant, and they have a tiny, bulbous fruit at the point where the stem and the base of the flower meeting.