Fior Di Zucca

In a bowl, combine the flour, sparkling water and 2 pinches of salt. In another bowl, mix together the ricotta and olive oil. Season with more salt and pepper.

Carefully rinse the courgette flowers in cold water. Open the flowers and remove the pistils. Fill a piping (pastry) bag with the ricotta mixture and use it to stuff the flowers. Add an anchovy to each flower, then close the flowers by twisting the tip gently to avoid tearing them. Dip the flowers into the batter, turning them to coat, then shake them to remove any excess.

In a deep fryer or large heavy-based pan, heat the sunflower oil to 160°C/325°F. If you don’t have a cooking thermometer, you can test the oil temperature by dropping a few grains of salt into it: if the oil is hot enough, small bubbles will form. Fry the flowers for 5 minutes until golden brown.

Drain them on paper towels, then put them into a dish. Sprinkle with the parmesan and chives and garnish with some basil leaves.