Fried Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups club soda, as needed
• 16 zucchini blossoms
• 1/2 cup ricotta
• 4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh basil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed through a press
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil, for deep-frying

1. To make the batter, using a fork, stir the flour and salt in a bowl to combine.
2. Gradually whisk in the club soda to make a batterthere should be a few lumps of flour.
3. Let stand 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
4. Using a small knife, cut a slit down the side of each zucchini blossom, and remove the pistil from inside each blossom.
5. (If a blossom tears, dont worry.)
6. Mix the ricotta, basil, and garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Using a small spoon (a demitasse spoon works well), insert a heaping spoonful of the ricotta mixture inside each blossom through the slit.
8. Be sure that the cheese filling is completely enclosed by the blossom.
9. Transfer the blossoms to a platter.
10. Place a wire cake rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
11. Pour enough oil into a large skillet to come halfway up the sides.
12. Heat over high heat until the oil reaches 360F on a deep-frying thermometer.
13. One at a time, holding the blossom by the stem, dip the blossom into the batter and remove, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl.
14. There should be only a light coating of batter.
15. Place in the oil and fry, turning once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
16. Fry the blossoms in batches to avoid crowding them in the skillet.
17. Using a wire skimmer, transfer the blossoms to the cake rack to drain.
18. Serve hot.

flour, salt, club soda, zucchini, ricotta, fresh basil, garlic, salt, vegetable oil

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/fried-stuffed-zucchini-blossoms (may not work)