Fried Pumpkin Flowers
In Zimbabwean cuisine, the pumpkin leaves (nhanga) known as muboora are commonly consumed as a relish or dried first, often stewed with peanut butter. They can be bitter similar to mustard greens, and a little tough - but nothing a little bicarbonate soda can't fix. Neighbouring countries like Mozambique like to add shrimp and coconut milk to the mix.
This recipe is super easy and makes for a light and fluffy batter, thanks to carbonated tonic water and egg white.
You'll need to be gentle with them, not overly dredge in batter and shake the excess off, not wash them roughly, and try to keep them as dry as possible before frying. Inspect the flowers for pollen and anything else.
How do they taste? Next time you see the flowers at the farmer's market, give them a try! In this case, sweet and subtle, a floral taste, not like a pumpkin, but delicious and melts in your mouth. Not only can you fry them in a light batter, but you can also stuff the flowers with a filling of your choice and bake or fold them into tortillas.