Simple Stir-Fried Zucchini with Fermented Shrimp (Saeujeot)
Easy Side Dish Recipe: Stir-Fried Zucchini with Saeujeot
Introducing a simple yet delicious recipe for stir-fried zucchini at home. This Saeujeot stir-fried zucchini is a perfect side dish that will become a favorite on your dinner table! The natural sweetness of the zucchini combined with the umami-rich saeujeot creates a deep, satisfying flavor, while the delightful crunch adds to its appeal, making it a dish everyone will love. Try making it even easier and faster with your Happycall Flexpan!
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1/3 carrot
- 1/2 onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let me guide you step-by-step on how to prepare this incredibly simple yet flavorful stir-fried zucchini with saeujeot. First, gather all the necessary ingredients.
Step 2
Wash the two zucchinis thoroughly under cool running water. Zucchini prices might be a bit high lately, but preparing two of these nutritious vegetables will make for an even more abundant side dish!
Step 3
After washing, trim off both ends of the zucchini.
Step 4
Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise.
Step 5
Place the halved zucchinis cut-side down, then slice them in half again lengthwise.
Step 6
This way, the seedy part of the zucchini will be facing upwards.
Step 7
Now, slice the zucchini into half-moon shapes, about 0.5 cm thick. It’s quite satisfying to slice them! Be careful not to slice them too thinly, as they can become mushy when cooked. Approximately 0.5 cm thickness provides the best texture. Slice them with a swift motion.
Step 8
Wash the 1/3 carrot and 1/2 onion under cool running water as well.
Step 9
Julienne the washed carrot and onion to a similar thickness as the zucchini. Since the main preparation step is just slicing, this dish is very easy to make. Adding carrots gives the dish a beautiful color and makes it look more appetizing.
Step 10
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Prepare your pan.
Step 11
Add 1 tablespoon of perilla oil to the pan and set the heat to medium-low. Once the pan is slightly heated, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to infuse its aroma.
Step 12
Sauté the minced garlic over medium-low heat for about 1 minute. It’s important to cook the garlic until its fragrance is released.
Step 13
Add all the sliced zucchini to the pan.
Step 14
As this is a stir-fry, continuously stir-fry the zucchini with the minced garlic. A delicious aroma is already filling the air!
Step 15
Add the julienned onion and carrot to the pan with the zucchini.
Step 16
Now it’s time to season. Add 1 tablespoon of saeujeot first. ★☆IMPORTANT TIP: Saeujeot is salty, so start with a smaller amount. It’s best to add it little by little and taste as you go, rather than adding too much at once, which can make the dish too salty and irreversible. Tasting and adjusting is the key to getting the perfect seasoning!
Step 17
Stir everything together evenly and continue to stir-fry so the flavors meld well.
Step 18
I tasted it while stir-frying and it was slightly bland, so I added another tablespoon of saeujeot and continued cooking. Zucchini softens quickly, so avoid overcooking it for too long! Cook until the zucchini is tender-crisp.
Step 19
Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of nutty perilla oil and stir-fry for about 30 more seconds, then turn off the heat. While sesame oil is also delicious, using perilla oil in stir-fries adds a richer, nuttier flavor that is exceptionally tasty.
Step 20
Once cooked, transfer the delicious stir-fried zucchini to a serving dish.
Step 21
Fill the serving dish generously.
Step 22
For the final touch, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds. The nutty aroma of the sesame seeds is incredible! Now, it’s ready to be enjoyed.
Step 23
Even if you’re not usually a big fan of zucchini, you’ll surely love this stir-fried version! I must admit, it’s surprisingly delicious. Using savory saeujeot instead of salt gives it a deeper flavor. The slightly crisp texture combined with the savory-sweet taste makes it a perfect side dish for rice. Try this super simple recipe and say goodbye to your side dish worries!
