Crisp and Nutty Stir-fried Zucchini Salad
Appetizing Special Dish! A Crisp and Nutty Zucchini Salad Recipe
Enjoy a refreshing and nutty zucchini salad made with fresh zucchini! Removing the seeds and lightly stir-frying ensures it stays firm and doesn’t get mushy. This simple yet delicious dish is perfect as a side for rice or as a snack with drinks!
Main Ingredients- 1/2 medium zucchini
- 1/4 red chili pepper
- 1 clove garlic
- 5 pine nuts
Seasoning Ingredients- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salted fermented shrimp (saeujeot)
- A pinch of salt (adjust based on the saltiness of saeujeot)
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salted fermented shrimp (saeujeot)
- A pinch of salt (adjust based on the saltiness of saeujeot)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the zucchini thoroughly. Lightly peel the skin if desired, then slice it into long, eyebrow-like shapes about 0.5cm thick. Sprinkle a pinch of salt (about 1/2 tsp) over the sliced zucchini and let it sit for 10 minutes. This process draws out moisture, resulting in a crispier texture that won’t become mushy.
Step 2
Remove the stem from the red chili pepper, slice it in half lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds. Then, thinly julienne the chili pepper. Mince the garlic finely after crushing it with the side of a knife. Roughly chop or crush the pine nuts to enhance their nutty flavor.
Step 3
Squeeze the excess water out of the salted zucchini by hand. For better results, you can use a clean cheesecloth or paper towels. Place the squeezed zucchini in a preheated pan with a little cooking oil (or a dash of sesame oil) and stir-fry over medium-low heat until it turns translucent. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become mushy.
Step 4
While stir-frying the zucchini, add 1 tsp of minced garlic and 1 tsp of salted fermented shrimp (saeujeot) to the pan and continue to cook. Stir-frying saeujeot enhances its savory flavor. Once the zucchini is cooked to your liking, add the julienned red chili pepper and mix gently. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tsp of sesame oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and toss to combine. Finish by sprinkling the prepared pine nuts on top for a delightful zucchini salad.