Fragrant Stir-fried Zucchini with Fermented Shrimp
Super Easy Side Dish! How to Make Delicious Stir-fried Zucchini with Summer Squash (Boost Flavor with Fermented Shrimp!)
A nutritious side dish made in a jiffy with fresh zucchini! Introducing a recipe for stir-fried zucchini enhanced with the rich umami of fermented shrimp. It’s perfect as a rice accompaniment or a lunchbox side.
Main Ingredients- 2 Zucchinis (approx. 400g)
- 5 Scallions (approx. 18g)
- 1/3 Onion (approx. 110g)
- 20g Carrot
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Please prepare the ingredients for making fragrant stir-fried zucchini with fermented shrimp. The main ingredients are 2 zucchinis, 5 scallions for fragrance, 1/3 onion to add sweetness and texture, and 20g of carrot for vibrant color. For seasoning, we need 1 tablespoon of fermented shrimp (saewoojeot), the key to umami; a pinch of salt to adjust the seasoning; 1 tablespoon of minced garlic for enhanced flavor; 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for nutty richness; and finally, 1 tablespoon of perilla oil (deulgireum) to complete the aroma, along with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil for stir-frying.
Step 2
Let’s start by preparing the vegetables. Wash the carrots thoroughly, peel them, and then slice them thinly into rounds. After that, julienne them for a nice presentation. Slicing the carrots thinly ensures they cook evenly.
Step 3
Peel the onion and julienne it similarly to the carrot. Adding onion will significantly enhance the sweetness and overall flavor.
Step 4
Wash the scallions, trim the ends, and cut them into approximately 2cm lengths. Cutting them to this size makes them easier to stir-fry and eat.
Step 5
Now it’s time to slice the zucchini. Trim off both ends of the zucchini, then slice it lengthwise into about 0.5cm thick pieces, followed by a half-moon cut. If sliced too thinly, they might fall apart during stir-frying, so aim for a moderate thickness.
Step 6
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a preheated pan over medium heat. A sufficiently heated pan will prevent the ingredients from sticking and ensure even cooking.
Step 7
Add the prepared half-moon sliced zucchinis to the pan. Instead of stirring immediately, let one side cook slightly before starting to stir-fry. This helps maintain their shape.
Step 8
Lightly stir-fry the zucchini over medium heat, then add the colorful carrots and stir-fry together. Adding carrots first can help prevent the zucchini from becoming too watery when it releases its moisture.
Step 9
Add a pinch of salt for initial seasoning. Since we’ll be seasoning with fermented shrimp later, it’s important not to over-salt at this stage. A little salt helps draw out some of the zucchini’s moisture and allows it to absorb flavor.
Step 10
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to enhance the fragrance. The garlic aroma helps to mask any ‘green’ taste from the zucchini and improves the overall flavor.
Step 11
Add the julienned onion and stir-fry together. Cook until the onion becomes translucent; this will release its natural sweetness, making the stir-fried zucchini much richer in flavor.
Step 12
Now, add 1 tablespoon of fermented shrimp (saewoojeot), the key to the deliciousness of this dish. Gently stir-frying the fermented shrimp in the pan before mixing it with other ingredients will eliminate any raw smell and significantly boost its umami. You’ll achieve a much deeper and richer flavor compared to using only salt.
Step 13
Finally, add the cut scallions and stir gently to combine. Avoid overcooking the scallions, as they can become mushy; stir just until they are slightly wilted.
Step 14
As you stir-fry to combine all the ingredients, add a very small amount of water (about 1-2 tablespoons) and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Adding a little water prevents the ingredients from sticking to the pan and adds a touch of moisture. The sesame seeds will provide a nutty aroma.
Step 15
Be careful not to add too much water, as this can make the stir-fried zucchini watery. Add just enough water so that the ingredients look slightly moist, as shown in the picture; this is the golden ratio. Stir-fry for about another minute until all ingredients are well combined.
Step 16
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of perilla oil (deulgireum). The nutty and fragrant aroma of perilla oil will further elevate the taste of the stir-fried zucchini. You’ll notice a wonderful scent wafting from the pan.
Step 17
And there you have it – delicious stir-fried zucchini with fermented shrimp is complete! It will be absolutely delightful served over a warm bowl of rice.
Step 18
With 2 zucchinis, we’ve made a generous portion that fills one square container. Stir-fried zucchini tastes best when eaten warm, right after cooking. As it cools, it can release more moisture and become slightly soggy, so we recommend reheating only the portion you plan to eat. Enjoy a healthy and satisfying mealtime with this delicious stir-fried zucchini!
