Fried Zucchini Flowers

ForLoveOfCountry

The reason the flowers should be picked or purchased in the closed position is because bees and wasps love their sweet nectar. Caution should always be used, however, as I have found these critters in closed flowers as well. It is best to pick them later in the day, close to sunset when bees are less active. I grow my own and there's nothing on God's green earth more delicate. Remember, if you are harvesting these, choose from those already fallen from the plant or appear ready to fall off. The flowers generally bloom only one day. **Note,If you pick them before they pollinate, you will get little to no zucchini. The flowers with the small zucchini at the base are female plants; those without the zucchini are male flowers. Both male and female must open to pollinate and produce fruit. If not pollinated, the small zucchini attached with the flower will shrivel up. Pick some of the male flowers over the females, and your crop should produce more than you can probably eat in a season.