How to harvest summer squash blossoms

Credit: Flickr / adobemac

A quick note about harvesting squash blossoms for Stuffed Squash Blossoms

(Find a recipe here)

Because you are still going to want your summer squash—a.k.a. the fruit of this plant, and your labour—to grow and develop after you’ve demolished a plate of its blossoms, it’s important to harvest only the staminate, or male, flowers for this dish. Find these on the long, slender stems higher up on the plant.

The best time to harvest is about dawn, as the flower will almost be at full bloom. Some recommend storing in cold water in anticipation of an evening meal; thereafter, all agree, squash blossoms will not last longer than a day or two in the fridge.