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What would you do if you came home one day to a nice bunch of squash blossoms waiting for you by the front door? No note. No message. No hint as from where they came.
Now let's say you live in the heart of the big city where people of questionable sanity pass you on the sidewalks every day.
Let's also say that you are going out of town that very afternoon. You know those blossoms will have bloomed and faded by the time you return from yet another glamorous weekend in Palm Springs.
Suddenly you are faced with a choice. What would that choice be? Now don't look at the photo or read the title of this post– 'cuz that would be cheating.
Do You:
- A) Drop them in the compost bin, after all you live in Hollywood. Freaks abound.
- B) Assume they are from a nice neighbor with a vegetable patch, and call to investigate.
- C) Make quesadillas immediately before whomever dropped those blossoms figures out what happened.
And just so you know there is only one correct answer.
Orange Scented Squash Blossom Quesadillas- 25 squash blossoms, cleaned with stamens removed
- 2 T canola oil
- 6 green onions and part of their greens, thinly sliced
- 1 clv garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 t fresh oregano leaves, minced
- kosher salt, as needed
- 1 t orange zest
- 1⁄2 lb monterey jack cheese, thinly sliced or grated
- 8 nine-inch flour tortillas
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled & sliced
- green tomatillo salsa, for serving
- fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Tear the squash blossoms into 2 or 3 pieces each. Heat the oil in a large skillet set over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic and oregano, saute until the onion is soft, but not yet colored, about 10 minutes. Add the squash blossoms along with a pinch of salt. Cook about 1 minute more, just until the blossoms begin to wilt. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest.
Heat a second large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lay the tortillas out in front of you. Top each of 4 tortillas with 1/4 of the cheese and 1/4 of the squash blossom mixture. Lay 1 of each of the remaining tortillas on top of the squash blossom lined tortillas. Carefully move them to the hot skillet and cook them one at a time (or more at once if using a griddle) until well-browned on the bottom. Flip the quesadilla over and continue to cook until the cheese is melted and the other side is brown. Repeat if necessary with the remaining quesadillas.
Serve the quesadillas hot with the avocado, salsa and cilantro on the side to garnish as desired.
SERIOUS FUN FOOD
Greg Henry
Sippity Sup
Comments
I cannot believe you just
I cannot believe you just come home to an incredible gift like that. Holy cow, my faith in humanity has been restored. What an amazing bounty. I thinkI'd make quesadillas. You're brilliant =)
Send me a listing
Neighbors leaving squash blossoms on your front porch? Really? Send me a real estate listing for your neighborhood I'm moving in.
These look fabulous! Love the orange zest
I'm always on the look out
I'm always on the look out for innovative quesadilla recipes. I will definitely give this one a try.
Abundance of Blossoms
Geeesh, all I ever find on my front porch are skateboards and matchbox cars.
So you live in the city too huh? I have never even seen a real live squash blossom, even tho they are apparantly all the rage right now. ;-)
I love your quesadillas, I'm all for spicy southwestern cheesiness.
Squash Blossom
Something fell on Mayim Bialik?
Sorry, couldn't resist that one. I think you have a secret admirer who also has a squash garden.
We talked about you Friday when getting tomatillos and Alexis asked how to know which ones to pick. Those tips you gave a few weeks back really came in handy.
Seriously? That is very
Seriously? That is very funny! Nice neighbors, I am assuming. And fabulous what you made these blossoms into. Delicious! I knew you wouldn't just make the obvious fried stuffed blossoms.
Great choice
Love this quesadilla... definitely a crowd pleaser :)
Love the Oozy Cheeze
I have made a quesadilla similar to this and it is one of my favorites. One time I didn't have squash blossoms, so I used arugula for that little bitter bite. Thanks for reminding me about this...I think I have the makings in my frig.
What a delightful departure
What a delightful departure from fried squash blossoms! I think I'll pick the rest of the blossoms off my plants right now! Love how bright and fresh the ingredients are in your prep photo.
After seeing this, I will be
After seeing this, I will be getting some squash blossoms! Quesadillas are a wonder thing and these look perfect! I'm new here and see lots of great things! Thanks!
A good neighbour
It is not often we get 'spoon fed' well when we were kids, this was the case all the time but now it is not and thus whenever we get the opportunity to be 'spoon fed' we should take it with open arms. As for the recipe, that is a keeper for sure, in fact you've given me an idea for tonight's dinner!
I'm collecting these blossom
I'm collecting these blossom recipes right now as one of my favorite vendors at the Farmers Market has pumpkin blossoms right now
wow this looks fab, but you
wow this looks fab, but you always have the best recipes yum
The way I see it is that the
The way I see it is that the likelihood of a crazy person laced with anthrax coming across squash blossoms and THEN choosing to place them on YOUR (a foodie's) doorstep...slim to none. Plus these quesadillas look so good that I would be willing to take the risk.
I would think I am in Italy...
and fry them....but I would have never thought of putting them into a quesadilla...even less with orange zest...what a wonderful and original idea! Next time I'll try to be less Italian. I would add another option to your list: number 4) Invite Sara over for dinner!
These are gorgeous!
These are gorgeous!
I would pack them
in an ice chest and bring them to Palm Springs and have either my butler or chef make them.
If I was to receive such a
If I was to receive such a gift, I would immediately do a search on FoodGawker and Tastpsotting to look at all the pretty pictures utilizing them. No doubt yours would be one of the top ones to show up. Then I would make the quesadillas. Any chance these will end up on my doorstep anytime soon???
Yet another glamorous weekend in Palm Springs?
Its good to be you.
Logical!
Your answer of "c" is completely logical in any food lover's mind. Your quesadilla riff is a novel way to use them - love it!
Where can I get squash
Where can I get squash blossoms? I don't think I've seen them in my supermarket but maybe I'll ask. Those quesadillas look so excellent!
Of course!
The only correct answer, indeed! Even if it was a gift from a thoughtful neighbor, I'd like to think that they'd approve wholeheartedly of this particular use! YUM.
NEED TO GET MY HANDS ON SOME
I need to get my hands on some squash blossoms because I have never had one and everyone is posting how amazing they are. Time to get my butt movin' on this one and pick some of these suckers up.
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