Frittele di fiori di zucca, also known as fried zucchini flowers, is a traditional dish from the region of Calabria in southern Italy. This delicacy can be found in various towns and communes of Calabria, including Reggio Calabria, Cosenza, and Catanzaro. It is a popular dish in local restaurants and can also be found in some specialty food shops.
One place where you can find frittele di fiori di zucca is at Ristorante La Cantina in Reggio Calabria. This restaurant is known for its authentic Calabrian cuisine and is a great place to try this traditional dish. Another option is Ristorante La Tavernetta in Cosenza, which also serves delicious frittele di fiori di zucca.
To make frittele di fiori di zucca, the zucchini flowers are stuffed with a mixture of ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and herbs, then dipped in a light batter and fried until crispy. They are typically served as an appetizer or side dish and are best enjoyed fresh and hot.
Another traditional dish from Calabria is Sciuriddi, a type of pasta made with durum wheat semolina and water. It is commonly found in the town of Soverato, where it is served in local restaurants such as Ristorante Il Gabbiano. Sciuriddi is often paired with a rich tomato sauce or a simple garlic and olive oil dressing.
Both frittele di fiori di zucca and Sciuriddi have received the PAT (Traditional Agri-Food Products) recognition, which is a certification given to traditional Italian food products that are produced using traditional methods and ingredients. The specifications for frittele di fiori di zucca include using fresh zucchini flowers, high-quality ricotta and Parmesan cheese, and a light and crispy batter. For Sciuriddi, the specifications include using durum wheat semolina and water to make the pasta dough.
Sources:
– “Calabria: la cucina tradizionale” – www.calabriatavola.it
– “Ristorante La Cantina” – www.ristorantelacantina.it
– “Ristorante La Tavernetta” – www.ristorantelatavernetta.it
– “Ristorante Il Gabbiano” – www.ristoranteilgabbiano.it