Can you eat pumpkin flowers?

[FoxHillGardener]

Since pumpkins are related to courgettes I was wondering if you can eat pumpkin flowers in the same way as courgette ones. My pumpkins have loads of flowers on them and even (at last!) a few baby pumpkins.

[Shortie]

Good question, I'd be interested too for my squashes. I keep thinking it'd be good to be able to use them and not go to waste!

[FoxHillGardener]

I suppose we've nothing to lose by giving it a go. I don't think they'd do you any harm but was wondering if anyone had tried it before and could tell us what they tasted like.

[Shortie]

A recipie/instructions would be lovely for me as I've never made them with courgette flowers before.
Could you stuff them with, say, a minced meat mix for a main in your dinner?

[FoxHillGardener]

There's a thread called Courgette flowers - How do I cook them? here

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rgette+flowers

Mixed views about whether it's worth the bother though!

[FoxHillGardener]

googled and found these

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook/recipe20.htm - whatever a saltine cracker is
http://www.deliciousitaly.com/Liguriarecipes9.htm
http://www.greeknet.com/cook1.htm
http://mexicancooking.netrelief.com/...p_recipe.shtml
etc...
So that answers my question then!

[Slug]

A saltine cracker is a bit like a ritz cracker (you know... the round ones with bits of salt on them). They're an American thing I think... at least I've seen and heard of them over there.

[pickledtink]

My favourite is to stuff them with a spoonful of cream cheese with some grated parmesan and chopped chives mixed in. Give them a twist to close, dip in batter and fry. I don't bother to deep fry just shallow and turn them over to do both sides. Makes a lovely and impressive starter. Not at all fiddly if you make sure you pick them first thing when the flower is wide open. it'll stay open then until you use them. Take all the stalk too. It's edible as well.