Prepare the Zucchini Flowers: Gently open the zucchini flowers and carefully remove the stamen from the center of each flower. Use a small brush or your fingers to remove any dirt, being cautious not to damage the delicate petals. Avoid washing the flowers with water, as they are fragile and can easily tear. Once cleaned, lay the flowers out on a tea towel to keep them dry and ready for frying.
Make the Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, olive oil, white wine, egg yolk, salt, pepper, and the thyme until smooth. Beat the egg white in a separate bowl until stiff and gently fold into the batter. The batter should have a slightly thick but pourable consistency, perfect for coating the flowers evenly.
Heat the Oil: Pour a thin layer of canola oil into a non-stick pan and heat it over medium heat. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when a drop of batter is added but not so hot that it smokes.
Fry the Zucchini Flowers: One at a time, dunk the zucchini flowers into the batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Gently lower each flower into the preheated oil. Let one side crisp up and turn golden before flipping it over—this should take about 2- 3 minutes per side. Keep an eye on the pan, as the flowers can cook quickly.
Drain and Serve: Once fried, transfer the zucchini flowers to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat the process until all the flowers are fried.
Enjoy Fresh: Serve the fried zucchini flowers immediately, accompanied by a side of garlic and herb yogurt for dipping. These are best enjoyed fresh, while the batter is still crisp and the flowers are at room temperature.