Where to Get Zucchini Flowers?

[hiddenboston]

I was watching "No Reservations" last night (Bourdain was in Rome) and noticed a pasta entree that had zucchini flowers added to the dish. Anyone know where I might be able to get them? Any farm stands or farmers' markets?

[liamsaunt]

Siena Farms at the Copley farmer's market sells them for 50 cents each. The market is on Tuesdays and Fridays.

[fredid]

I spotted them at the Harvard (by the Science Center) market...

[BobB]

And the Hmong stand had them at the Brookline farmers market today.

[galangatron]

the drumlin farms stand at the union square farmers market in somerville and the atlas farms stand at the copley square farmers market in boston usually have squash blossoms

[QCumber]

It's slightly off topic, but recently La Morra has had a mini-appetizer of deep-fried squash blossoms stuffed with gorgonzola and drizzled with honey - a tasty way to sample the flowers if you have never tasted them before...

Q

[ipsofatso]

Okay, like what is NOT good with gorgonzola stuffed into it ??????

[BobB]

Oooh, tough question. ;-)

I'm thinking maybe something with a delicate flavor that would be overwhelmed by it, like scallops?

[catsmeow]

Here's a tougher question...What's NOT good with gorgonzola stuffed into it AND FRIED????? :-)

[catsmeow]

They usually have them at Ward's Farm Stand in Sharon if you happen to be out that way.

[hiddenboston]

Oh, cool, Ward's should definitely work, thanks. trufflehound, it looks like at least some of the flowers are minced, with a few on top as a garnish. As you say, it was tough to see them in B&W, but I think that's how it is done.

[trufflehound]

I saw the episode, but in B and W couldn't make them out. Are thet chopeed, whole or what?. I usually stuff em and fry em. I plant squash just for this purpose. Gettin lean though with this weather.

[kobuta]

Saw them at the Central Sq farmer's market last Monday.

[BobB]

Brookline farmer's market (Thursday afternoons in Coolidge Corner) often has them - but as with any farmers market, it depends if they're in season on any given week.

[frond]

They had them at the West Acton farmers' market on 8 August at the Asian farmers' stand. (I did not go on the 15th.) They also had really good pea tendrils that were much more tender then the ones I have gotten in Chinatown. It is in West Acton on Pearl St from 10 am to 2 pm.

[StriperGuy]

The Hmong (Asian) stand at Belmont Farmer's market had them last week as well. As usual they have some of the most beautiful produce I have ever seen.

[GretchenS]

Ditto the Asian stand at the Arlington farmer's market last week. And the yu toy I got there was amazing.

[sqboo]

Yes, they (Hmong farmers) had some zucchini blossoms at the Andover Farmer's Market as well. Also fabulous purslane and some of the best cilantro I've had in a while.

[Madrid]

they often have purslane...sends me to my cook books...the cilantro and mint and basil and scallions...amaranth...pea greens....and as fall approaches fresh lemon grass! all kinds of squash blossoms, pumpkin vines, etc. Their lettuce "bouquets" are so beautiful you could use them for flowers at your fanciest dinner party. Lately they've been putting out recipes for the beautiful greens. I think they deserve lots of buyers support.

[greenzebra]

Lanni Orchards at the Harvard University farmer's market (Tuesdays 12:30 - 6ish) often has them. I've seen pumpkin blossoms (which I've never cooked with, but probably could be used in a similar way) at Flats Mentor Farm at the Davis Square market (Wednesday afternoons).

[hiddenboston]

Thanks! I wonder if there are any grocery stores/supermarkets that sell them? Sometimes it's tough for me to get to the farmers markets.....

[Allstonian]

I'm not sure they keep longer than a day or two, so I doubt you would find them anyplace except the farmer's markets or at a farm stand.

[StriperGuy]

Green grocer in the North End used to have them, but yah, can't imagine they travel very well. Certainly not something you will see in a supermarket.

[itaunas]

You might get lucky with a specialty grocer like Dave's Fresh Pasta or Pemberton Farms (and Sid Wainer in New Bedford regularly carries them), but either a farmers market or higher end farm stand like Verrill Farms is a better bet. Since the advent of the Hmong farmers the retail supply of various squash blossoms is much better. Even refridgerated they are pretty perishable -- I had some go within 72 hours of picking this summer, but I think I remember one hound experimenting with freezing them last year.

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Verrill Farm
11 Wheeler Rd, Concord, MA, MA 01742

Dave's Fresh Pasta
81 Holland St, Somerville, MA 02144

[hiddenboston]

Thanks, itaunas, and everyone else! Looks like I need to hit some farmers markets....

[yumyum]

The Union Square market is on Saturday mornings if they are easier for you than a mid-week option. The Hmongs are there and they also have had them recently at Drumlin Farm's stand.