Savory Zucchini Noodles: A Taste of Chungcheong Province
Follow Along: Chungcheong-Style Zucchini Noodles (Seasonal Recipe Perfect for Kids!)
Enjoy a nutritious and delightful zucchini noodle dish made with fresh, seasonal zucchini, perfect as a healthy snack for children. Includes beautiful plating tips!
Main Ingredients- Somen noodles, 1 handful (approx. 1 serving)
- Zucchini, 1 medium
- Salt, a pinch (for salting zucchini)
- Whole sesame seeds, 2 Tbsp (for nutty flavor)
- Sesame oil, 1/2 Tbsp (for fragrant finish)
- Water, 25ml (for sautéing)
- Cooking oil, 1/2 Tbsp (for sautéing)
- Carrot, 1 (for garnish, shaped like a snail)
Seasoning- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 1/2 Tbsp (adjust spiciness)
- Sugar, 1/4 Tbsp (for a hint of sweetness)
- Minced garlic, 1/4 Tbsp (enhances flavor)
- Soy sauce, 1 Tbsp (for umami)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, a pinch (for aroma)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 1/2 Tbsp (adjust spiciness)
- Sugar, 1/4 Tbsp (for a hint of sweetness)
- Minced garlic, 1/4 Tbsp (enhances flavor)
- Soy sauce, 1 Tbsp (for umami)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, a pinch (for aroma)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini thoroughly and julienne it thinly. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the julienned zucchini and let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture. This prevents the zucchini from becoming watery when sautéed and ensures a crispier texture. After salting, carefully pat the zucchini dry with paper towels.
Step 2
While the zucchini is salting, let’s prepare the delicious seasoning! In a bowl, combine 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1/4 Tbsp sugar, 1/4 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well. You can adjust the spiciness or sweetness to your preference.
Step 3
Grinding whole sesame seeds yourself will yield a richer, nuttier flavor. Place 2 Tbsp of whole sesame seeds in a grinder and grind them into a fine powder. Having this pre-ground will make the process smoother.
Step 4
Here’s a cute plating tip that kids will absolutely love! Thinly slice the carrot and shape it into a spiral to resemble a snail. Then, roll small balls of cooked rice for the eyes and use nori (seaweed) to create eyebrows and a mouth. This will result in an adorable snail decoration, adding a special touch to a child’s snack.
Step 5
Now, it’s time to sauté the zucchini. Heat a deep pan over medium heat, add 1/2 Tbsp of cooking oil, and add the dried julienned zucchini. Sauté over high heat for about 2 minutes. Sautéing over high heat helps maintain the zucchini’s crisp texture.
Step 6
Once the zucchini starts to look slightly translucent, add the prepared seasoning and sauté for another minute, ensuring the seasoning coats the zucchini evenly. Then, add 25ml of water and sauté for one more minute. Your flavorful sautéed zucchini is ready!
Step 7
In a separate pot, bring plenty of water to a boil. Add 1 handful of somen noodles and cook according to package directions, typically for 3-4 minutes. Ensure you cook them to your desired tenderness.
Step 8
Once the somen noodles are cooked, rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. This step removes excess starch and helps the noodles retain their chewy texture, preventing them from becoming mushy.
Step 9
Let’s assemble the delicious zucchini noodles beautifully! Arrange the chilled, chewy somen noodles attractively in a bowl. Top generously with the slightly cooled sautéed zucchini. Finish with a drizzle of 1/2 Tbsp fragrant sesame oil and a sprinkle of the ground sesame seeds. Your zucchini noodles are now complete, boasting both great taste and visual appeal! If serving to children, use the adorable snail carrot decoration prepared in step 3 for a playful presentation.
