Fragrant Zucchini Flower Cheese Quesadilla
A Delightful Specialty! Recipe for Quesadillas Made with Fresh Zucchini Flowers
Experience exotic Mexican flavors right at home! This special quesadilla features fresh zucchini flowers and a generous amount of cheese, offering a subtle sweetness and rich savoriness. Inspired by the drama ‘Meskom,’ this recipe can be deliciously made even with commonly found local zucchini flowers, adding a special joy to your dining table. From a basic quesadilla to upgraded versions with avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms, and jalapeños, enjoy it in various ways according to your preference!
Basic Ingredients- 1 Tortilla
- 2 Zucchini Flowers
- 100g Mozzarella Cheese
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The zucchini flowers featured in the broadcast were from pattypan squash, but you can make equally delicious quesadillas using local zucchini flowers readily available at markets. Choose fresh-looking zucchini flowers.
Step 2
Zucchini flowers might be a bit difficult to find in some areas. If you have a weekend garden, you can pick fresh flowers from your own squash plants, or visit organic stores or large markets to find them.
Step 3
Properly preparing the zucchini flowers is crucial for quesadillas. The pistils and stamens inside the flower can impart a bitter taste, so carefully remove and discard them.
Step 4
It’s best to preheat your pan well before cooking. Using a cast-iron skillet is particularly recommended as it retains heat excellently, ensuring a crispier and more flavorful quesadilla.
Step 5
Once the pan is sufficiently heated, place the tortilla in it. After the tortilla warms up slightly, spread the prepared zucchini flowers evenly over it.
Step 6
Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the zucchini flowers. As the cheese melts, it will bind the ingredients together and add a rich flavor.
Step 7
Carefully fold the tortilla in half. Cook over medium-low heat, flipping occasionally, until golden brown on both sides. As the cheese melts and the zucchini flowers cook, a subtle sweetness and fragrant aroma will emerge. The finished quesadilla offers a surprisingly captivating flavor!
Step 8
This time, we’ll add avocado to make the quesadilla even more substantial. Remove the pit from the avocado, peel it, and slice it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 9
Fresh tomatoes will add a refreshing zest to the quesadilla. Wash the tomatoes, remove the stems, and finely dice the flesh, discarding the seeds.
Step 10
It’s great to use string cheese, similar to what’s often used in Mexican cuisine. Tear the prepared string cheese into manageable pieces by hand.
Step 11
For the upgraded version, also prepare the zucchini flowers by removing the pistils and stamens. Then, thinly slice the zucchini flowers. This will improve the texture and help them meld better with other ingredients.
Step 12
The thinly sliced zucchini flowers are now ready to be used as a filling for the quesadilla.
Step 13
Now, heat the pan and place the tortilla on it. Spread the prepared zucchini flowers evenly over the tortilla.
Step 14
Arrange the sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, and torn string cheese attractively over the zucchini flowers. Loading up on ingredients will make it even more appealing.
Step 15
Carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling. Cook over medium-low heat, flipping occasionally, until the cheese is fully melted and the tortilla is golden brown. Cover the pan while cooking to help the cheese melt better.
Step 16
The finished upgraded quesadilla is excellent on its own, but cutting it nicely makes it even more appetizing.
Step 17
Looking at the cross-section of the cut quesadilla, you’ll see a much more colorful and generous filling compared to just zucchini flowers.
Step 18
The upgraded quesadilla is ready – a feast for the eyes and a rich taste for the palate. The harmonious blend of ingredients creates a deeper flavor.
Step 19
This time, let’s add shiitake mushrooms for a chewy texture and deep flavor. If you have wild shiitake mushrooms, even better! Clean and finely chop the shiitake mushrooms. Lightly oil a pan and sauté them until their umami flavor is enhanced.
Step 20
You can make the quesadilla filling even richer by sautéing or preparing various other ingredients like this. Besides sautéed mushrooms, feel free to use other vegetables or ingredients you enjoy.
Step 21
Adding fresh zucchini will also bring a crisp texture and subtle sweetness to the quesadilla.
Step 22
Wash the zucchini, remove the seeds, and dice it finely like the shiitake mushrooms. Sauté in a lightly oiled pan until translucent. It’s important to cook off some moisture while retaining the zucchini’s texture.
Step 23
If you enjoy a bit of spiciness, preparing jalapeños is a good choice. Remove the seeds from the jalapeños and finely mince them. Adjust the spiciness level according to your preference.
Step 24
Now, all the ingredients to make your quesadilla extra special are ready: tomatoes, sautéed shiitake mushrooms, sautéed zucchini, and minced jalapeños.
Step 25
Place the tortilla on the heated pan and spread all the prepared filling ingredients evenly. Don’t be shy with the filling!
Step 26
Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the filling. The cheese will bind all the ingredients and add a savory taste.
Step 27
Adding the torn string cheese on top will allow you to enjoy an even richer cheese flavor.
Step 28
Carefully fold the tortilla in half to cover the filling. Cook over medium-low heat, flipping occasionally, until the cheese is fully melted and the tortilla is golden and crispy. Covering the pan while cooking will help the cheese melt better.
Step 29
Cut the finished quesadilla into serving pieces and arrange it on a nice plate. Today’s ultimate quesadilla, with its generous filling and melted cheese, is complete! Enjoy this mouth-watering, delicious quesadilla.
