Fiori di Zucca Fritti Recipe: Italian Fried Zucchini Flowers

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GIOVANNI'S KITCHEN

Fiori di Zucca Fritti Recipe: Italian Fried Zucchini Flowers

Name: Fiori Di Zucca Fritti
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 12 fresh zucchini flowers; 8 oz mozzarella (or another mild, melty cheese), chopped; 1 cup 00 flour; 1 tsp sugar; 1 cup cold sparkling water (add more as needed for consistency); 6 anchovy fillets in oil, halved (optional); Pinch of fine sea salt; Peanut oil, for frying

Light, crispy, and so full of flavor they’ll transport you straight to Italy with just one bite!

By Giovanni Siracusa

@unpezzoditalia

July 03, 2025

By Giovanni Siracusa

Ingredients

12

fresh zucchini flowers
8

oz mozzarella (or another mild, melty cheese), chopped
1

cup 00 flour
1

tsp sugar
1

cup cold sparkling water (add more as needed for consistency)
6

anchovy fillets in oil, halved (optional)
Pinch of fine sea salt
Peanut oil, for frying

Instructions

TOTAL TIME

30 minutes

12 servings

Crisp on the outside and gooey in the center. This is Italian summer snacking done right! Fiori di zucca are the ultimate Italian summer aperitivo — they belong on the same table as Gratsi Loaded Hummus for something creamy and cool alongside. Bruschetta with Feta Tomatoes adds the perfect toasted base to the spread, while Roasted Fingerling Sweet Potato brings warmth and color to the table. Taralli keep the crunching going between flower bites. Serve it all with ice-cold Gratsi Sparkling White — bubbles were made for fried zucchini flowers.

A bowl of zucchini flowers, a bowl of flour, and a ball of mozzarella cheese with a knife on a cutting board are arranged on a crocheted tablecloth. Greenery is visible in the background.

Step 1: Clean the Zucchini Flowers

Gently clean each zucchini flower by removing the inner pistil and trimming the stem. Be careful not to tear the petals.

A wooden cutting board holds two rows of squash blossoms and a pile of sliced white cheese, set on a white crocheted tablecloth. Green leaves are visible in the background.

Step 2: Stuff with Mozzarella and Anchovy

Stuff each flower with a small piece of mozzarella and half an anchovy fillet (if using). Lightly twist the petals to close.

A hand stuffs a fresh squash blossom with a piece of cheese. Sliced cheese and several unstuffed squash blossoms are on a wooden cutting board in the foreground. A lace tablecloth and greenery are in the background.

Step 3: Make the Sparkling Batter

In a bowl, whisk the flour, sugar and a pinch of salt. Slowly add the sparkling water while whisking until you get a smooth, fluid batter. It should be thicker than water, but still light.

A person stirs a thick, creamy batter in a wooden bowl using a spoon. The person is wearing a dark, pinstriped apron, and the bowl is placed on a white countertop.

Step 4: Dip and Drain Before Frying

Heat up your frying oil. Dip each stuffed flower into the batter, twisting as you pull up letting the excess drip off.

A close-up of a hand dipping a vegetable stick into a thick, creamy batter in a wooden bowl on a kitchen counter.

Step 5: Fry in Batches Until Golden

Fry the flowers in batches, without crowding the pan. Cook until they’re puffed and golden, about 2-3 minutes per side.

A pile of golden, crispy fried zucchini flowers rests on a white paper towel, absorbing excess oil. The flowers are slightly irregular in shape and appear freshly cooked.

Step 6: Drain and Season Immediately

Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with a touch of salt while still hot. Serve immediately with a chilled glass of Gratsi White! These are the kind of fritti that make you stop and close your eyes on the first bite. Buon Appetito!

A plate of golden fried zucchini flowers sits on a lace-covered table next to a glass jar of sugar, a glass of white wine, and a black-and-white photo book. Green leaves are visible in the background.

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