Tender Zucchini Leaf Wraps
Aromatic Perilla Leaf & Zucchini Leaf Wraps That Melt in Your Mouth
These zucchini leaf wraps are incredibly tender, practically melting in your mouth. Combining the fresh, fragrant zucchini leaves with aromatic perilla leaves makes for a delightful and healthy seasonal dish.
Main Ingredients- 20 fresh Zucchini leaves
- 20 fresh Perilla leaves
Additional Ingredients- 2 Cheongyang peppers (hot peppers)
- 1/2 large Leek
- 2 Cheongyang peppers (hot peppers)
- 1/2 large Leek
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To prepare the tender zucchini leaf wraps, start with fresh zucchini leaves. If you’ve harvested them young from your garden, it’s important to peel the tough outer skin from the stems to ensure a tender bite. Gently snap the stem end and pull downwards to remove the skin. Many zucchini leaves sold at markets are already peeled for convenience.
Step 2
The back of the zucchini leaf has a fine fuzz.
Step 3
Gently clean the back of the zucchini leaves. Hold a leaf with both hands, palms facing each other, and lightly rub to remove the fuzz. This will result in a clean leaf, similar to the picture.
Step 4
Once cleaned, submerge the zucchini leaves in water and gently knead them. This helps to soften them further. Rinse the leaves thoroughly several times. Arrange the zucchini leaves neatly in a steamer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Place the steamer basket over a pot of vigorously boiling water and steam for about 5 minutes. This steaming method preserves the natural fragrance and tenderness of the zucchini leaves.
Step 5
Since I also enjoy perilla leaf wraps, I’ve prepared the perilla leaves I set aside yesterday. Once the zucchini leaves have steamed for about 5 minutes, add the perilla leaves to the steamer and steam for an additional 1 minute. Steaming them for too long can diminish their aroma, so a short steaming time is recommended.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the delicious wrap sauce. Combine soy sauce, gochugaru, minced garlic, bokbunja syrup, toasted sesame seeds, and sesame oil in a bowl. Mix them well until evenly blended. The bokbunja syrup adds a pleasant sweet and tangy note, enhancing the overall flavor of the sauce.
Step 7
Serve the freshly steamed zucchini and perilla leaves hot. Top generously with the flavorful sauce and wrap them up. Each bite will be filled with a burst of flavor and aroma that will surely delight your senses. Enjoy this wholesome meal by adding a spoonful of rice inside the wrap. Experience the delightful combination of the tender zucchini leaves, fragrant perilla leaves, and the savory, well-balanced sauce!
