Squash Blossoms Quesadilla (Quesadillas de Flor de Calabaza)

Squash blossom quesadillas, or “quesadillas de flor de calabaza”, are a delightful treat that combines delicate edible flowers with the vibrant traditional flavors of Mexican cuisine.

A plate with three squash blossom quesadillas.

Are Squash Blossoms Edible

Have you ever wondered if squash blossoms are edible?

They are and they’re super delicious!

Flor de Calabaza or Squash Blossoms

In Mexican cuisine flor de calabaza, or squash blossoms in English, are often used in making quesadillas.

There are so many edible flowers out there, and sadly many of us aren’t even aware of them. Like did you know that there are many types of edible roses? We are surely missing out on lots of deliciousness.

In Mexican cuisine we use squash blossoms in quesadillas, stuff them and make soups with them too.

The other popular edible Mexican flour you may know is flor de jamainca, or hibiscus flower, and not only make an agua fresca it but use it as a vegan meat.

But today let’s talk about and enjoy delectable flor de calabaza inside of an ooey gooey quesadilla.

How to Harvest Squash Blossoms for Eating

If you have a summer vegetable garden make sure to plant some zucchini. You can use the blossoms for so many recipes.

When zucchini blossoms are harvested it’s always the male flowers which are chosen.

The male flowers pollinate the female ones in order for the females to produce their fruit, or zucchini in this case. If you grow your own zucchini and can tell the difference between them you can harvest the males and use them in any culinary need.

Edible squash blossoms or flor de calabaza laying on a green table and ready for making quesadillas.

Where to Buy Flor de Calabaza (zucchini blossoms)

If you don’t garden don’t worry because you can find zucchini blossoms at farmers markets, specialty stores and at Mexican food stores.

The summer season is when they’re more readily available. Usually they are inexpensive. But of course this depends on where you live and how good the harvest was.

If you’re lucky to be visiting Mexico also look for them in the late autumn to early winter months.

What do Zucchini Blossoms Taste Like

Flor de calabaza (or zucchini blossoms) are very delicate and they have a mild earthy taste. It can be described a bit like the earthy flavors of other greens.

That so-called earthiness pairs perfectly with cheese and many other ingredients.

Edible squash blossoms or flor de calabaza laying on a green table and ready for making quesadillas.

How to Prepare Flor de Calabaza for Eating

Before you can eat squash blossoms they need some preparation. Below is my guide on how to prep zucchini blossoms to eat in any of your favorite dishes.

Step 1

These flowers are very fragile and I highly suggest not taking them out of the fridge until right before using. Also, try to cook them the same day they were purchased.

Step 2

Grab one blossom and very carefully begin to rip off the little furry green stems that go all the way around the blossom.

Now ever so gently rip the blossom down towards the stem, use your fingers to rip it off and separate it from the stem and the center bud that holds the pollen.

Discard the stem and set the separated blossom aside, repeat until all of the flowers have been prepared.

Step 3

Rinse them under slow running water. Then place on top of paper towels to drain off all the excess water. Once dry chop, the blossoms into large even-sized pieces and set aside until ready to use

showing how to properly prepare squash blossoms for eating.

How to Make Squash Blossom Quesadillas

To make squash blossom quesadillas you can use either of the following two methods.

Quesadillas de Flor de Calabaza with Masa Dough

To make the tortillas you can purchase masa or corn dough from your local tortilleria. Or you can of course also make your own masa using a bag of Maseca. You can use white, yellow or even blue corn masa. It really doesn’t matter.

So the difference here is that you first need to buy or prep the masa, make the tortillas then proceed with making your quesadilla. These types of quesadillas are definitely more flavorful, but they require more time.

Squash Blossom Quesadillas The Easy Way

The easiest way to make zucchini blossom quesadillas is using corn tortillas you already have in your fridge. Then it’s just a matter of heating it up, melting cheese on to it, then adding the flor de calabaza.

Squash Blossoms Quesadillas Ingredients.

What Cheese is Best for Quesadillas

For a good quesadilla you need a cheese that melts well and has lots of delicious flavor.

My personal preference for quesadillas is Oaxaca cheese or asadero cheese.

But if you can’t find either, my other choices are Chihuahua or even Mexican Manchego cheese. They both melt and have great flavors.

Vegan Squash Blossom Quesadillas

To make dairy-free vegan quesadillas you just need to swap out the dairy cheese for your favorite vegan cheese.

Choose one that melts.

How to Make Easy Squash Blossom Quesadillas

The easiest way is of course to use corn tortillas you’ve purchased. Grab some Oaxaca cheese and shred it. Prep the blossoms as instructed above. Warm the tortillas on a hot comal, add cheese and allow to melt then place some flor de calabaza onto the cheese, fold and enjoy.

And don’t forget the salsa!

If you want to crank the flavors up a notch you can add some onion, garlic and chile to the mix. You’ll not only create a more flavorful quesadilla, but it’ll also go a longer way than just the blossoms.

Check out my recipe below for instructions.

Mexican squash blossom quesadillas on a decorative brown plate.
Squash Blossoms Quesadillas Ingredients.

Squash Blossom Quesadillas Recipe

Nancy Lopez & MexicanMadeMeatless.com
Squash blossoms are not only edible they are fantastic in quesadillas. Try this traditional Mexican way of cooking and eating flor de calabaza (or zucchini blossom) and you'll be amazed at the deliciousness.
5 from 7 votes
Save Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, dinner, lunch
Cuisine Mexican, vegetarian
Servings 6 quesadillas
Calories 63 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 18 whole squash blossoms or more
  • 6 corn tortillas
  • 10 oz Oaxaca cheese pulled apart into strands*
  • homemade salsa for serving

Instructions
 

Prepare the Zucchini Blossoms:

  • Grab one blossom and very carefully begin to rip off the little furry green stems that go all the way around the blossom. Now ever so gently rip the blossom down towards the stem, use your fingers to rip it off and separate it from the stem and the centre bud that holds the pollen. Discard the stem and set the separated blossom aside, repeat until all of the flowers have been prepared.
    Fresh squash blossoms for making quesadillas on a green table.
  • Rinse them under slow running water then place on top of paper towels to drain off all the excess water. Once dry chop the blossoms into large even-sized pieces and set aside.
    Showing how to prepare squash blossoms for cooking.

Prepare the Quesadillas:

  • In a separate pan heat the oil and once hot add the onion, cook until soften before adding the chopped pepper bits and the minced garlic. Drizzle a little bit of fine sea salt over the ingredients and cook until everything is soft, once that is the case you can add the chopped zucchini blossoms and saute just until wilted. Turn heat off and set aside.
    Ingredients for making Mexican squash blossom quesadillas.
  • Heat up the griddle or large clean pan over medium heat, and once it is hot place one corn tortilla on it. Allow to cook for a minute, flip it over and add some Oaxaca cheese to one half of the tortilla — you can add as much or as little cheese as you’d like. When the cheese has begun melting spoon in a tablespoon or so of the zucchini blossom mixture, carefully fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filled half. Allow the quesadilla to cook for another minute or so to allow the cheese to thoroughly melt. The whole cooking process should only take 5 to 8 minutes. Serve the quesadillas with your favourite Mexican salsa.
    Mexican squash blossom quesadillas on a decorative brown plate.

Video

Notes

*If you can’t find Oaxaca or asadero cheese, substitute with Mozzarella or Chihuahua cheese.
**If you want to cook the blossoms before using in quesadillas you can try the following.
  • 1 large jalapeño or one whole habanero pepper for extra heat finely chopped**optional
    – 1/4 medium onion finely chopped, optional
    – 2 whole garlic cloves finely minced, optional
    – 1 Tablespoon olive oil optional
    – 1/2 teaspoon sea salt to taste
Sauté the onion, jalapeno and garlic until soft. Place the mixture onto the quesadilla before adding the cheese for melting. Serve and enjoy! 

Nutrition

Serving: 6servingsCalories: 63kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 27mgPotassium: 54mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe?Leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and tag me on social media @MexicanMadeMeatless or tag #mexicanmademeatless!
Showing melted cheese and squash blossom inside a warm corn tortilla.

I hope you get the opportunity to taste the squash blossom stuffed quesadillas, they are amazing and make a fantastic lunch.

You are going to love how the mild flowers taste with the creaminess of the cheese, the slight sweetness of the onion and garlic, and the zestiness of the chile pepper.

Buen provecho! 

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11 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve actually made these in the past and absolutely adore them. They remind me of the fried zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella that we make in Italian cooking—but these, I have to say, are much easier, especially if you use ready-made tortillas.

    Now if only I could find zucchini blossoms in my local market—apparently our very wet spring means that the crop is late this year… 🙁

    1. Frank, I thought of you when I was making these quesadillas because I remember seeing zucchini blossoms on your website. I’ve wanted to make them the Italian way and when I do I’ll definitely be using your recipe.

      Oh, that’s too bad but hopefully you can get some before the end of summer. Thanks Frank!

  2. 5 stars
    I first discovered these 10 yrs ago while taking a girls trip in Cancun. My Mexican friend convinced me to try them. I immediately fell in love with the flavors why haven’t I tried these before. I found your recipe on Pinterest and pinned it, while shopping at our local grocery store I saw the blossoms and just had to get them. looked up your recipe and cooked them up, my only issues with the blossoms are that they shrink to almost nothing just like spinach, and you can only get them for a short time.

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