Sweet and Tender Aged Pumpkin Side Dish
Easy Aged Pumpkin Namul Recipe for Beginners
Make a soft and sweet side dish with aged pumpkin, a staple for Chuseok or holidays. We’ll show you how to make it in detail starting from 4:27. The subtle sweetness and tender texture of aged pumpkin make it a perfect side for rice.
Ingredients- 200g aged pumpkin
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 200g of aged pumpkin. Wash the pumpkin thoroughly, remove the skin, and thinly slice it into bite-sized pieces, about 0.5cm thick. Slicing them thinly will help them cook faster.
Step 2
In a bowl, add 1 pinch of salt to the sliced pumpkin and gently mix. This process draws out excess moisture, making the pumpkin more tender and seasoned. Let it sit for about 20 minutes to salt the pumpkin.
Step 3
After 20 minutes, discard the water that has come out of the pumpkin. Lightly rinse the pumpkin under running water. Gently press the rinsed pumpkin with your hands to remove as much water as possible. Excess water can make the side dish mushy, so squeeze it well.
Step 4
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a frying pan over low heat. Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Once the garlic is aromatic, add the drained pumpkin and increase the heat to medium. Stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes, or until the pumpkin becomes translucent and starts to soften.
Step 5
When the pumpkin is cooked to your desired tenderness, turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and mix gently. The sesame oil adds a wonderful nutty aroma, completing this delicious aged pumpkin namul. It’s best enjoyed warm.
