Courgette Flowers Question

I have grown 2 courgette plants ths year and thus far have had about 10 courgettes from each with about another 4 on each not quite ready yet.

I have noticed that both plants occasionally have one (sometimes 2) flowers on very long stems which do not bear any fruit. I actually cut one of them off, and then decided to leave the other ones and ask the question here.
Do these flowers serve a purpose, should I leave them alone, or was I right to cut them off?
Many thanks
Teressa

 

But now you've already cut them off, if you haven't chucked them you can batter them and fry them for a nice snack. Its in my mediterranean recipe book. I'll have a look later.

 

Thanks Folks. Yes, still some flowers on. Some more advice please.
Firstly, some of the lower leaves ar turning pretty yellow, can I trim these off - it would also make tem a bit tidier.
Second question, as my veg plot is only 18' X 13' I was thinking that next year I may put the courgettes into spare potatoe growing sacks that I have, well fertilized, of course. Would this be OK?

 

Now would we? :hehe:

 

Tempting :wink:

 

Yes TAL, you can grow courgettes in containers as long as they are well fed.
Or on the remains of the previous years compost heap - they love that.

 

And you can EAT THEM!!
This is the recipe from my recipe page.
Stuffed Courgette/Zucchini Flowers

This is one of my very favourite recipes - I make it every summer in Italy. It is quite difficult to obtain courgette flowers in England, unless you grow them, so I have grown a few this summer!
Approx 15-20 courgette/zucchini flowers
135g fresh ricotta cheese
a bunch of fresh basil
1 egg
salt, pepper, nutmeg, clove of garlic

Wash the courgette flowers carefully, as they are rather fragile.
For the stuffing, mix together the ricotta, beaten egg, crushed garlic, chopped fresh basil, salt and pepper. (You can also add some freshly grated Parmesan, but I don't, usually). Fill each flower with this mixture.
For the batter
200g plain flour (some recipes specify self-raising, but I prefer plain).
pinch of salt
400ml. cold water
2 largish eggs, beaten (organic if possible)
two or three tblsp olive oil

Mix together the flour, beaten eggs and olive oil, add the water gradually until the desired consistency is obtained.
Coat the stuffed flowers in this batter, and fry them gently in olive oil for a few minutes until they are golden. Drain them on kitchen paper.

 

I always grow mine in containers...they have turned out really well this year!

 

"I always grow mine in containers."

What size containers do you use?