Saturday, August 8, 2015

Squash Blossom and Zucchini Pizza


I don’t know about you but I feel like summer is going by at warp speed. I have been fighting with some kind of rodent that seems intent upon destroying the garden. I have named him bad rodent (I know that’s not very original) and since the garden is fenced, bad rodent tunnels underground and eats the roots of my plants. I keep destroying the tunnels but to no avail. If anyone has any ideas?

This should be my final squash blossom recipe of the summer. Here I prepared a pizza. To begin with I made and rolled out the pizza dough and then applied a very thin coat of pesto. Usually I make my own but basil does not grow so well on the coast so I bought some pre-made from Costco. It really is delicious. Next the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese was added. I then cut 6 squash blossoms completely on one side and laid them out flat along the bottom edge all the way around the dough. In the middle I placed zucchini slices and added a dollop of ricotta cheese. We both enjoyed this combination as it was quite tasty.

Recipe for dough from What’s Gaby Cooking click here…..

Ingredients:

1 pizza dough
1 to 2 tablespoons of prepared pesto
6 squash blossoms (for prep instructions click here)
1 medium zucchini squash (sliced thinly)
1 cup mozzarella
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon ricotta cheese (optional)

In a medium-sized skillet add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté zucchini slices until lightly browned. Drain on a paper towel and set aside.

To the prep area where you will be rolling out the dough, add a small sprinkling of flour, then place dough on the area. Using a rolling pin roll out dough picking up dough and moving it a little in the same direction around and around until dough is rolled out to your liking. (I like mine on the thin side).

Measure 1 to 2 tablespoons of pesto onto the dough and using a baking or pastry brush spread across dough leaving a small edge around the very edge of the pizza. Add both mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.


Take each zucchini blossom and completely cut one side. Spread out flat along the bottom of the pizza leaving the edge connecting them all like a flower. Place zucchini slices side by side in a circle to fill in the middle.


Add a dollop of ricotta cheese if desired. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes until crust is golden brown. Enjoy!


Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

52 comments:

  1. Cheri:

    Yes, I agree. It does feel like summer is going by quickly at this point. Sigh. We knew it couldn't last forever so we must make the most of it while we can, eh?

    Sorry to hear about your bad rodent. Here in New Hampshire we have woodchucks that burrow underground and destroy gardens. Could this be your bad rodent?

    Thanks for the pizza recipe. It looks divine.

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    1. Hi Dena, no we don't have woodchucks here, I think it is some kind of mole or something but I could be wrong. And yes you are right we do have to make the best of it. Take care!

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  2. What a gorgeous pizza, Cheri! It looks too pretty to eat. But I would eat it anyway, because it looks so delicious! Such a creative recipe. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. Thanks Shari, the pizza was delicious. Heard you are having some weather, the monsoons have been bringing in the rain this year.

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  3. sure looks pretty! i heard planting daffodils around the garden perimeter can keep moles out. but that'll help next year if you plant them this fall. :(

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    1. Hi Theresa, will have to try that for next year, appreciate the tip.

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  4. Your pizza resembles a Van Gough sunflower, Cheri! Good luck on eradicating bad rodent =) P.s. So happy to say we are growing basil in the living room of our apartment so I can make your fresh pesto!

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    1. Hi Kim, I bet your front room smells amazing with the fresh basil growing, love that smell. Too funny about the Van Gough sunflower!!

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  5. I feel the same way, this summer is going by way too quickly. I love this pizza! I am always trying to find new ways to use up our squash blossoms from our garden and this is such a great idea!

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    1. Thanks Kelly, I'm always trying to find new ways too. Sometimes I just cut them up and put them in eggs. Take care!

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  6. Hi Cheri,
    This pizza is so visual artistic. .. like rays of sunshine ^-^!

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    1. Thanks Karen, never thought about it like that. Have a great week-end!

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  7. What a pretty pizza! I assume you have a mole and I know they can be destructive. I've never had one so I can't offer any advice. Hope you find a way to get rid of it.

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    1. Thanks Tandy, my husband and I are thinking about putting chicken wire a few feet in the ground all the way around the perimeter to see if that works. Desparate times....desparate measures. Ha!

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  8. Maybe put some traps in the tunnels? Or rodent poison? Arrgh so frustrating, I'm sure! But what a gorgeous pizza! It's a celebration of summer.

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    1. Thanks Joanne, yes it is frustrating, but I think we have hatched a new plan. (I think I'm starting to sound a little scary)

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  9. Cheri this pizza if beautiful. It looks like a lovely flower - ready to eat. I'm going to be the last blogger still posting summer recipes I believe. We're heading to the beach in a few weeks where pina coladas and tropical dishes are calling my name!

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    1. Hi Tricia, I know summer produce is the best, it never seems quite long enough of a season. Have fun at the beach.

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  10. wow..this is a really beautiful pizza. I totally love that squash blossom topping.

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    1. Thanks Angie, hope you are having a great week-end!

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  11. What a gorgeous pizza! Summer always goes quickly, doesn't it?

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  12. I think summer is going by way too fast too, Cheri! This pizza looks so good, and it's pretty to look at, too! :)

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    1. Thanks Nancy, I saw green apples at the farmers market last week-end, I could not believe it.

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  13. Such a beautiful pizza! I love the pesto base and squash blossoms.
    P.S. We have raccoons that pick the tomatoes off the vines! No subterranean critters :/

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    1. Thanks Liz, those racoons are pretty smart, we had one break into our house a few years ago when we were gone for the winter.

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  14. Wow, what a beautiful and artful way to decorate a pizza. It looks like a big sunshine. A great way to enjoy that last little bit of summer.

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    1. Thanks Bam, I know I saw apples at the farmers market last week, it is too soon.

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  15. Loving the flower effect you've created, especially as it reminds me of sunflowers - perfect at this time.

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  16. summer is going way too quick for my liking. This is a beautiful looking pizza and courgette usually always features on our homemade pizza, as it adds so much flavour and texture.

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    1. Thanks Dannii, I sometimes make just a zucchini ribboned pizza but this was the first time I used the flowers.

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  17. What a fabulous-looking pizza, Cheri! It's so bright and perfectly summery. It's great when food tastes great but also looks attractive. : ) HOpe you banish that bad rodent!

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    1. Bad rodent is still stalking my garden, in fact I'm starting to think there might be at least 2 of them. Sigh!

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  18. I would call this "Sunflower Pizza!" It is so beautiful! Love the flavors, and will probably try this before the soup - much better summer fare for Tucson!

    So sorry about your rodent - we know your pain! They are so plentiful here, too...

    Do you know Gaby from What's Gaby Cooking? She and her folks are close friends with one of my friends - I hope to meet her someday when she is here visiting.

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    1. Hi David, no I don't know Gaby but I follow her blog, she is great. Heard there was a haboob in Phoenix yesterday.....Take care!

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  19. Really beautiful pizza!! Look wonderful!

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  20. Those zucchini flowers look so pretty! That rodent sounds like a total nuisance - it seems it only takes one to destroy an entire garden. We have had a long (by Sydney standards) winter and I just can't wait for September 1 when the calendar will tick over to spring xx

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    1. Hi Charlie, so sorry about your winter, I'm on the coast of the pacific northwest this summer and we are in the mist of a drought. It's pretty crazy.

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  21. WOW! This pizza looks like piece of art! I love it!

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  22. Wow, that's the best looking pizza I've ever seen, Cheri! I have to make this for girls' night - they'll be blown away.
    Don't know what to tell you about bad rodent (that name cracks me up!). Let's hope he gets tired and goes away soon. Unless he sees this pizza, then he's moving in permanently!

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    1. Hi Robyn, you are too funny, I'm afraid he has already moved in.

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  23. What a beautiful pizza! Bravo!!!

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  24. I too feel like summer is going by at an alarming pace. Love the way this pizza sounds - so fresh with summer ingredients :)

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  25. What a beautiful pizza!! We love zucchini blossoms and haven't had them in a long time. Great idea !! Only wish we could get our hands on some blossoms!

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    1. Hi Anna and Liz, I love them too. I think the fact that they can be hard to obtain, makes the blossoms even tastier.

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