Squash blossoms are considered a true delicacy in Mexican cuisine. Available in rainy months, they fly out of the markets as soon as they are set on the floor mats and stands.
No wonder they are such a hot selling ingredient: They are gorgeous looking, with orange and green Fall colors, a velvety texture, a meaty and crunchy bite and a delicate and exuberant flavor.
Since they are also commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, aside from finding them in the US in Latin markets, one can find them at Italian grocery stores. But one can also find them during the summer season in some grocery stores and Farmer’s markets.
I was so excited to find them so fresh in Mexico last weekend, that I took many photos. I have to say, one can buy 10 pounds of flowers for the price of what one pays here, but oh well. Also, in Mexico they sell them already completely bloomed.
Though they taste much better when fresh, they have to be used quickly as they wilt fast even inside of the refrigerator. But they can also be found canned, and they do taste good as well.
To use them fresh, remove the lower part of the stem and rinse them thoroughly. I use all of the flower and upper stem, though some cooks do remove the green sepals. Squash blossoms tend to be paired with one or another fresh chile, typically the Poblanos, and many times corn.
Comments
8comments inSquash Blossoms
Rosalie
Aug 05
Dear Pati,
Soy Pastry Chef y vivo en Las Vegas. Que emosion me dio ver tu programa en PBS, super cultural, interesante y delisioso! Y mas emosion me dio saber q naciste y creciste en Mexico City, igual q yo!!!!!! Viva Mexico y Viva la comida mexicana! Arriba los chilangos!!!! 🙂
Muchas felicidades por tu exito!
Pati
Aug 12
Arriba los chilangos, Rosalie!
George Lewis
Jul 29
Hi Patti–
Very much enjoy your blog, info, stories and insights. I volunteer at a museum bistro near Seattle. On Mondays I make Mexican food, my favorite quisine. This last Monday we made tlacoyos with black beans, tomato salsa, squash blossoms, crema and goat cheese. Soo good. Thanks for your good words and recipes. I’m a fan.
Pati
Jul 29
Those tlacoyos sound SO GOOD!Thank you so much for your kinds words, George.
elisa
Jul 15
My grandma would sautee them with onion and tomatoe then when she was making corn tortillas she would put them inside with cheese and make a quesadilla they where delicious
Pati
Jul 15
I love them that way!
Alicia
Feb 11
Hi Pati,
Do you have a recipe for quesadillas con flor de calabaza?
MKH
Nov 02
Hi Pati, do you know of a good recipe for squash blossom soup? It was my FAVE last time I visited Mexico City! Thank you! : )