The early gardener gets the flowers

@Fleura (35830)
United Kingdom
July 8, 2026 2:39am CST
I followed my own advice and went out earlier to look for flowers and sure enough that was the key. I was able to collect half a dozen. Paola made a sort of fritter with baby courgettes and courgette flowers and it was really delicious! This week her mother is here to stay so she will be able to show us more things to do with them. So my current morning routine involves getting out of bed and straight into the vegetable patch in my dressing gown to pick the male flowers before they close. Of course I make sure any female flowers are pollinated before I remove the males – we do want courgettes as well! Then they go in the fridge in a paper bag and I can have my morning coffee. Do you use these flowers and if so what do you do with them? All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2026.
15 people like this
13 responses
DE
@DaddyEvil (175988)
• United States
8 Jul
Mom picked zucchini flowers along with other squash blossoms, stirred them into a thick dough and fried them in butter. I didn't like them but some of the other kids did. Mom and Dad both enjoyed them cooked like that. Have you ever eaten zucchini cake? I like that.
4 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (35830)
• United Kingdom
8 Jul
We make courgette bread, which I guess might be similar? A sort of loaf made with grated courgette/zucchini, pineapple and raisins. Little One is also incredibly fond of chocolate chip and courgette cookies, which is funny because she hates courgettes otherwise!
3 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (175988)
• United States
8 Jul
@Fleura Yes, very similar. Pretty doesn't like zucchini, either but if I add grated zucchini to a yellow cake mix and ice it, Pretty will eat that and tell me I need to make it more often. Kids can be so funny!
5 people like this
Arunima Singh
@arunima25 (93273)
• Bangalore, India
8 Jul
Yes, we do make delicious fritters ( pakoda) from these flowers. Many other flowers and leaves make delicious fritters. We also make spicy vegetable with them.
4 people like this
Amber
@AmbiePam (123182)
• United States
8 Jul
That’s so cool!
3 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (504928)
• Italy
8 Jul
Yes, I use the flowers to make fritters. I only cut the "male" flowers that do not produce courgettes.
3 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (504928)
• Italy
8 Jul
@Fleura - Yes, I deep fry them, I prepare a light batter, similar to the one I use to prepare tempura.
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (35830)
• United Kingdom
8 Jul
@LadyDuck We don't have a deep fat fryer so will have to improvise. I'll let you know what we do with them!
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (35830)
• United Kingdom
8 Jul
Do you deep fry them?
2 people like this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (223765)
• United States
8 Jul
I've never cooked with flowers.
3 people like this
Michael
@Wrexxo (3430)
•
8 Jul
Seem like a busy day for you..no .I have never seen that kind of flower before
3 people like this
Heather Echola
@GardenGerty (170198)
• United States
9 Jul
I have not, but it sounds like something I would like.
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (137701)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Jul
Glad you got out early enough. I have never used them
2 people like this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (99228)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Jul
Lovely zucchini flowers, No have not used them but love zucchini,
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (385141)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul
I'm glad the flowers worked. I wonder what Paolo's mother will come up with.
1 person likes this
Fleur
@Fleura (35830)
• United Kingdom
8 Jul
We should find out later today. I'll have to remember to take a photo (although she will probably think I'm weird!)
1 person likes this
Fleur
@Fleura (35830)
• United Kingdom
9 Jul
@JudyEv I wonder what is the Italian for 'eccentric'?
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (385141)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jul
@Fleura Say you're eccentric! That's what I'm encouraging people to think of me.
1 person likes this
Traceyjayne
@Traceyjayne (12363)
• United Kingdom
8 Jul
I certainly recognise those flowers ….my courgette patch is full of them ….The Mister was horrified when I told him you could stuff and deep fry courgette flowers …..he definitely don’t try it. I hope you post the recipes that Paola s Mum makes . I think I’m going to need several recipes to get through my lot.
1 person likes this
Thelma
@thelme55 (79770)
• Germany
8 Jul
No, I didn’t even know that these flowers are edible.
1 person likes this
Jimbo45
@Ineeddentures (38683)
•
8 Jul
The flowers Fill them Cover in batter And deep fry. Yum
1 person likes this