Traditionally, squash blossoms are stuffed with creamy cheese, battered, and deep fried; lovely and enticing in their own right, to be sure, but a girl can only eat so many deep-fried snacks without palate fatigue. So when my best friend brought a basket of these Summer beauties to dinner, alongside a rustic baguette, a tub of creamy burrata, and a jar of pungent olive tapenade, I knew I was in for a real treat.
I watched in rapt attention as she deftly prepared this quick appetizer, barely able to restrain myself from sneaking a taste of the burrata as it oozed with cream. Mere minutes later, we bit in, and at that moment, I was sold. Not only are squash blossoms extraordinarily beautiful in their raw state, but when shed of their battered exterior, their nuanced delicate flavors truly shine. I imagine I’ll be experimenting with raw preparations, until, like tomatoes (another Summer favorite), they’re sadly whisked away until next season’s flush.
I like to allow my guests to serve themselves, as a casual, assemble-your-own crostini plate, but if you’re hosting a more formal dinner party, assemble the crostini ahead of time.
Burrata-Stuffed Squash Blossoms and Olive Tapenade Crostini
Ingredients
Directions
Serves 4.
Notes:
- Look for squash blossoms at farmers markets, gourmet grocers, and even Mexican specialty markets.
- Swap out a high-quality store-bought olive tapenade, such as The Gracious Gourmet, for an even faster appetizer.
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