Olive Oil

Squash plants don't just produce squash for the table, they also produce squash blossoms. These are delicious stuffed with cheese, rolled in a thin batter of whole-wheat flour and water, then fried quickly in hot olive oil. I make them with the male blossoms of bush-type squash such as zucchini, because unlike the female flowers that generate the fruits, the males are expendable; you only need a few for pollination. Rumor has it, though, that squash plants aren't just for fruits or flowers.

AFGHANISTAN Legislators block law on women's rights Conservative religious lawmakers in Afghanistan on Saturday blocked legislation aimed at strengthening provisions for women's freedoms, arguing that parts of it violate Islamic principles and encourage disobedience. Khalil Ahmad Shaheedzada, a conservative lawmaker for Herat province, said the legislation was withdrawn shortly after being introduced in parliament because of an uproar by religious parties. "Whatever is against Islamic law, we don't even need to speak about it," Shaheedzada said.

Fontaine Caffe & Creperie , 119 S. Royal St., Alexandria, 703-535-8151, http://www.fontainecaffe.com . French women don't get fat. Really? Maybe they are indulging at this elegant creperie. Its menu does feature traditional (read: caloric) combos such as ham, Swiss and mushroom, and caramelized apples with vanilla ice cream. But it also offers lighter and no-less-satisfying options such as the Moroccan ($8.95 at lunch, $12.95 at dinner). The crisp buckwheat crepe, made with olive oil instead of butter, is stuffed with spinach and chunks of feta cheese, then folded into a neat rectangle and served in a pool of refreshing mint-yogurt sauce.

A Calvert County middle school student took home one of the top prizes in the Junior Chefs Rockfish Cook-Off staged in Ocean City last month during the East Coast Commercial Fisherman's and Aquaculture Trade Exposition. The competition was divided into two age groups -- the children's division for those 7 to 11, and the junior division for those 12 to 17. The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Seafood Marketing Program, along with the Maryland Watermen's Association and the Sea Grant programs of the universities of Maryland and Delaware, sponsored the event.

Alexandria: How many large eggs would I use as a substitute for extra-large eggs? Ina Garten's "Barefoot Contessa" recipes frequently call for the extra-large, but I don't want to buy a dozen if I only need three. Is it possible to substitute? Jane Black: If a recipe calls for fewer than four eggs, many bakers advise not to substitute large for extra-large eggs. Four extra-large eggs are equal to about 4 1/2 large ones, so you risk ending up with cake or cookies that are either too dry or too eggy.

I'm just as susceptible as the next guy to the January onslaught of media hype scolding us to untie the holiday feed bag and replace bad fats, sweets and red meat with whole grains, good carbs and fish. So I'm cutting down on beef steaks and ramping up on fish steaks, hopefully staying on that regimen well beyond the point where I fall prey to ads for Valentine's Day chocolate. I figured I'd start with swordfish, among the meatiest of all seafood. Its nutritional profile isn't all that different from that of sirloin, except it has something beef doesn't: more than a gram per serving of treasured, heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish, olive oil and wine are the makings of a great meal, and they may also be the prescription to help prevent Type 2 diabetes. A large new study published in the journal BMJ finds that people who adhered closely to a traditional Mediterranean diet, which is also low in meat and dairy products, had "substantial protection" against Type 2 diabetes. That's good news for those who like to eat flavorful fare, because the Mediterranean menu is widely varied.

The Heloise Spaghetti Sauce Dear Heloise: I'm writing to request a copy of the RECIPE that was called "Heloise's Mother's Spaghetti Sauce. " This appeared in our local newspaper, and I can't find my copy now when I need it. This is one of the best recipes you have ever published! -- Julie, Holmdel, N.J. Thanks, Julie -- I love this one, too. Here is a reprint for you and other readers who might want to give it a try: HELOISE'S ORIGINAL ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup butter 1 cup finely chopped onions 1 pound ground beef 4 strips finely chopped bacon 4 cloves garlic, chopped fine 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley 1 bay leaf, chopped fine 1 tablespoon salt Black pepper, freshly ground to taste 1 teaspoon crushed dry red pepper 2 ounces red wine 2 15-ounce cans whole tomatoes or tomato sauce 1 small can tomato paste 1 cup water 1 finely chopped carrot Heat olive oil over low heat in a pot large enough to hold all ingredients.

Ingredients For the eggplant 1 large eggplant (about 1 1 / 4 pounds) 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for frying Salt For the tomato sauce 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 small onions, chopped 1 teaspoon seven spices seasoning (see NOTE) 3 medium cloves garlic, crushed or put through a garlic press 28 ounces canned chopped tomatoes, plus their juices 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 cup water 2 cinnamon sticks Pinch sugar Salt Freshly ground black pepper For the koftas 9 ounces lean ground or minced lamb 1 small onion, grated 2 cloves garlic, grated 2 tablespoons flour 1 large egg yolk 1 / 2 cup chopped parsley, plus more for garnish 1 teaspoon seven spices seasoning 1 / 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon dried mint 1 / 2 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon olive oil Steps For the eggplant: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

FRIDAY, Sept. 12 (HealthDay News) -- People who eat a strict Mediterranean diet are at less risk of developing heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, Italian researchers report. A so-called Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables and fish, and includes a moderate amount of red wine but is low in meat, dairy products and other alcohol. "This study helps us to support all the recommendations and the nutritional guidelines on the benefit of Mediterranean diet on mortality from all the causes, as well as on the incidence of cardiovascular, neoplastic and degenerative diseases," said lead researcher Dr. Francesco Sofi, from the Department of Medical and Surgical Critical Area at the Thrombosis Centre at the University of Florence.