What variety of squash produces "flor de calabaza"?
In Mexico, flor de calabaza is sometimes served on quesadillas, in soups, or in other dishes. The literal translation of flor de calabaza is "flower of pumpkin/zucchini/squash". As calabaza is a rather broad term in Spanish, I don't really know specifically what kind of flower(s) are used for this.
I'm interested in cooking with some of this myself, and am happy to grow the squash plants in my yard, but which type of squash plants shall I grow? Or are various varieties of squash equally suitable for the harvesting of their flowers?
Best Answer
They're commonly called squash blossoms in English - as you might guess, this is because it doesn't matter too much what kind of squash they're from. They'll most commonly be from smaller summer squash plants (e.g. zucchini) though, since they produce many small squash instead of a few large squash (like pumpkins), so you can get more blossoms for your trouble.
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Where does flor de calabaza come from?
This recipe is originally from El Bodegon de Guillermo in Tijuana. Before the restaurant burned in 1978, it was THE place to go. These quesadillas were reportedly loved by Sammy Davis, Jr.. If sqash blossoms are out of season, use canned squash blossoms\u2014which is what La Fonda Robertos in Tijuana does.What flor de calabaza?
Flor de Calabaza (Zucchini Flower/ Pumpkin Flowers/Squash Blossoms) are used in Mexican Cuisine, New Mexican cuisine, and in pupusas in Salvadoran cuisine as an ingredient in quesadillas, empanadas and as well as a cream, sauce and other dishes. Ingredients ZUCCHINI FLOWER,WATER,IODIZED SALT AND CITRIC ACID.What does flor de calabaza taste like?
Flor de calabaza (or zucchini flowers) are very delicate and they have a mild earthy taste. It can be described a bit like the earthy flavors of other greens.Squash Blossom Quesadillas(Flor de Calabaza)
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Answer 2
The flowers you're picturing there certainly appear to be zucchini flowers.
As for what's traditional, Mexican cuisine also uses a lot of pumpkin seeds, so I'd think that pumpkin flowers, which are also quite edible and tasty, would be considered appropriate as well. In the USA, zucchini flowers are much easier to find than pumpkin flowers, however.
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