Chewy and Delicious Stir-Fried Round Zucchini
A Recipe for Stir-Fried Round Zucchini with Added Crispiness and Savory Flavor
Create a delicious side dish with fresh round zucchini, just picked from the garden. The process of salting it makes the zucchini chewier when stir-fried, and the savory seasoning is perfect for a side with rice. This simple yet nutritious stir-fried round zucchini is ready to be made. Shall we start?
Main Ingredients- 1 medium round zucchini
- 1/2 onion
- 1 Cheongyang pepper (spicy green pepper)
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 white part of green onion
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for salting zucchini)
Seasoning & Cooking- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp salted shrimp (with brine)
- 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp salted shrimp (with brine)
- 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the round zucchini thoroughly, cut it in half, and scoop out the seeds. Then, slice it into semi-circles about 0.5 cm thick, or into bite-sized pieces. If the zucchini is very large, cutting it into quarters will be even better.
Step 2
Place the sliced zucchini in a large bowl. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of coarse salt evenly over the zucchini and mix well. Salting for 10 to 15 minutes will draw out moisture, resulting in a crispier and chewier texture.
Step 3
Once the zucchini is sufficiently salted, rinse it lightly under cold water to remove the saltiness. Do not squeeze out all the water; instead, drain it in a colander for about 5 minutes to let the water naturally drip off.
Step 4
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and stir-fry slowly until the garlic aroma is released. Be careful not to burn the garlic; bringing out its fragrance is key.
Step 5
Once the garlic aroma starts to spread, add the drained round zucchini and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the zucchini becomes translucent.
Step 6
Add 1/2 Tbsp of salted shrimp and stir-fry together. Salted shrimp adds a savory depth of flavor, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with salt after tasting. Including the brine from the salted shrimp will enhance the flavor even further.
Step 7
Add the thinly sliced onion, diagonally sliced Cheongyang pepper, red chili pepper, and the white part of the green onion. Stir-fry until the vegetables are slightly softened.
Step 8
Add 1/2 Tbsp of gochugaru and stir-fry until evenly combined. Stir-frying the gochugaru right after adding it helps to achieve a beautiful color and reduces any raw taste.
Step 9
At this point, add 2 Tbsp of water and stir-fry to allow the seasoning to evenly coat the zucchini and vegetables. Adding a little water prevents the seasoning from burning and helps the gochugaru dissolve smoothly, creating a more delicious stir-fry. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or a tiny bit of Dasida if needed to suit your preference.
Step 10
Once all ingredients are cooked and the seasoning is well combined, turn off the heat. Finally, drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 tsp of toasted sesame seeds to finish. The rich aroma of sesame oil will make your stir-fried round zucchini even more delicious.
