Squash Blossom

Squash in Blossom
    
How lush, how loose, the uninhibited squash is.
If ever hearts (and these immoderate leaves
Are vegetable hearts) were worn on sleeves,
The squash's are. In green the squash vine gushes.

The flowers are cornucopias of summer,
Briefly exuberant and cheaply golden.
And if they make a show of being hidden,
Are open promiscuously to every comer.

Let the squash be what it was doomed to be
By the old Gardener with the shrewd green thumb.
Let it expand and sprawl, defenceless, dumb.
But let me be the fiber-disciplined tree

Whose leaf (with something to say in wind) is small,
Reduced to the ingenuity of a green splinter
Sharp to defy or fraternize with winter,
Or if not that, prepared in fall to fall.

- Robert Francis (1902-1987)

Comments

[Anne]

Oh, that's a gorgeous picture!! :)

[ejm]

Terrific picture! (what kind of squash and are you deep frying the blossoms or letting them become squashes?)

There are some amazing looking at least two foot long squash growing on a nearby backyard chainlink fence. I only know the Indian name of "Loki" (why on earth do I know that???) But I googled (isn't google wonderful?) and see that it is also called Italian Edible Gourd, Italian Squash, Serpent of Sicily, Cucuzzi (Lagenaria siceraria)

-Elizabeth

P.S. So glad to see a new photograph above the oatmeal cookie post.

[Moira]

Hi Anne...thank you so much!

Hi Elizabeth...it was from our courgette/zucchini plant, and I am actually planning on frying some after my husband gets back from school and I can do a proper post. And a proper meal. And possibly gain back some of my brain. I think the last part isn't possible, though! ;-)

Yes, Google is a wondrous thing. I love 'Serpent of Sicily'!

[Beth - The Zen Foodist]

What a stunning photo! Reminds me of the squash blossom appetizer I got at Todd English's Olives restaurant at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Yum!

[ejm]

I'll be interested to hear what you think. I found that the flowers got completely lost when I tried frying zucchini flowers. (But I quite liked them fresh in salad)

-Elizabeth

P.S. If you do find out how to gain back part of your brain, could you post instructions? I would love to get back some of what was left of mine. :^D

[Reid]

Hi Moira,

What a gorgeous photo. Welcome back dear. You were missed.

[Joe @ Culinary in the Desert]

Stunning Photo!

[Jeanne]

You said, "...And possibly gain back some of my brain. I think the last part isn't possible, though! ;-)"

Well, poetry's got to help...!

[dawn]

Absolutely stunning photo. You must enter it in a contest, because it a winner.

[Alice]

What a beautiful photo!!!

[Alicat]

I was curious to know if anyone here has had fried squash blosson, stuffed or otherwise? I don't think I've ever seen it in a grocery store or on a menu..but I do live in the boonies! :)

[ejm]

Alicat, I have had squash blossoms battered and fried. The blossoms' flavour kind of gets lost.

If you have a farmer's market near you, you might be able to get squash blossoms. And of course, if you have a sunny patch of garden, in the summer you can grow zucchini and have ZILLIONS of blossoms. My sister says that her neighbours are now crossing over to the other side of the street if they see her walking towards them with a shopping bag. She has so many zucchini squashes, she doesn't know what to do with them (aside from composting them)

-Elizabeth

[Moira]

Hi Beth...thank you!

Hi Elizabeth...my husband's back now, so I'll be trying them this week at some point- I'll let you know.

Hi Reid...thank you so much, my friend.

Hi Joe...thanks a mil!

Hi Jeanne...I'll let you know if it helps!

Hi Miss Dawn...thank you, sweetie- you are too kind!

Hi Alice...thanks very much!

[Yvette]

Hey wahine.... You are much missed...by me of course! What a treat for me to see and read your blog after such a long and shitty day =-) By the way, this is such a wonderful shot of...is that your daughter? She is so adorable! Plenty aloha hugs for you! Muahh!

[Moira]

Hi Yvette...much mahalos for your kind words and continued support...you da best!

[Andrew Spark]

I came across your site and enjoyed my visit. Thank You.

[jagdip s. sekhon]

what is the punjabi name for zucchini?
is it Lauki or Tar?