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squash blossoms?

Greetings all -
My gf and I were up in Massachusetts this past weekend, and were able to buy some squash blossoms at a farmers market.
I had some fun cooking them up - not that I knew what I was doing. I've never actually eaten them, just seen them on Iron Chef. But they were pretty good.

We'd like to try them some more, either cooking them or in restaurants. Any recs? Farmers markets near center city or NW philly that have them? Restaurants that serve them?

LaBan's review of El Rey mentioned a quesedilla with them. Hoping to try that soon - but would really like to find them stuffed, and either fried or baked.

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  1. Hey, Charles:
    My Foodbuzz buddy Chef Dennis (who is also in PA) recently posted two squash blossom recipes.

    Here's one for zucchini pops:

    And here's one for zucchini blossom muffins:

    They're beauties, aren't they? If Flourtown, PA is anywhere near you (sorry, no clue), he can probably direct you to a farmers market or two, too.

    P.S. You may want to ask the mods to split this post for you--so you have one for home cooking where you can collect recipes and one for local Philly finds for markets and restos. Enjoy your quest!

    1 Reply
    1. re: kattyeyes

      I can't find them anywhere, so I buy a small zucchini plant at the beginning of the summer and it produces flowers for most of the summer - usually 4-5 a week, if I water it enough. The plant is stressed by being in a pot, so it produces alot of flowers, but no zucchini. I fill them with herbed goat cheese, dredge them in flour, and fry them.

    2. I haven't been looking for these, but the Food Trust's last newsletter mentioned that they were available at Headhouse recently . You can also look on the Fair Food Farmstand website, which lists what they will have for sale each week.

      Besides El Rey, I haven definitely seen these at other Mexican restaurants, including the small taquerias which offer them on their year round menus. I know Los Gallos in deep South Philly has them on the menu; other places do as well but I don't know specifically which ones. Sorry I don't have more information. I don't think you will find them stuffed/baked at the taquerias, though.

      1. Go to the headhouse market on Sunday! They have been carrying them at the first produce stand as you enter the South end of the shambles and then go to the mexican taco stand and get a squash blosson quesadilla!

        1 Reply
        1. re: Bigley9

          sounds like headhouse square, and the taquerias, it is. probably get some wudderice while i'm down there as well!

          gonna have to keep searching for them on menus in other ways... (to be honest, they were kind of a hassle to cook - but the gf liked them)

        2. I think I remember L'Angolo having them on the menu at some point.

          6 Replies
          1. re: Philly Ray

            Any new leads on where to purchase squash blossoms (flor de calabaza)?

            1. re: AJSoprano

              They're easy to find jarred at Mexican groceries. As things warm up I expect they will be back fresh at the farmers' markets.

              1. re: barryg

                Yeah I was specifically looking for the fresh flowers. Would love to know which Mexican markets or farmers markets stock these.

                1. re: AJSoprano

                  They won't be in any farmers markets around here for a few months - they're in season mid to late summer.

              2. re: AJSoprano

                You can order them in season from Weavers Way Coop in Mount Airy; they'll pick them for you at the WW farm in Germantown. You don't have to be a member to shop at WW but you might have to be a member to order.

                1. re: AJSoprano

                  Produce Junction in phoenixville had them this morning.