Zucchini and Pollack Roe Pasta: Inspired by Jo In Sung
Zucchini and Pollack Roe Pasta Recipe
Introducing the Zucchini and Pollack Roe Pasta, a dish famously prepared by actor Jo In Sung on the TV show ‘Unexpected Business 2’. This pasta beautifully balances the subtle sweetness of zucchini with the savory richness of pollack roe. It’s a delightful dish that uses simple ingredients to create an impressive meal. Enjoy this special flavor right at home!
Ingredients- 1/3 medium zucchini
- 1 strand low-sodium pollack roe (myeongran jeot)
- 3-4 cloves garlic, to taste
- 2-3 dried red chili peppers (peperoncino), adjust to spice preference
- 3-4 Tbsp olive oil
- 100g pasta (per serving)
- 1/2 sheet seasoned laver (gim) or seaweed flakes
- 2-3 ladles pasta water (reserved from cooking)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (for cooking pasta)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the zucchini. Wash the zucchini, trim the ends, and then thinly slice it lengthwise using a vegetable peeler, or julienne it into thin strips with a knife. For the low-sodium pollack roe, carefully make an incision down the middle and gently scrape out the roe with a spoon, discarding the outer membrane.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1/2 tsp of sea salt to season the water.
Step 3
Once the water is boiling, add 100g of pasta (for one serving) and cook it until it’s al dente, about 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain the pasta using a colander, reserving about 2-3 ladles of the starchy pasta water. This reserved water is key to creating a creamy sauce!
Step 4
Heat 3-4 Tbsp of olive oil in a wide pan over medium-low heat. Thinly slice or mince the garlic and sauté it gently in the oil until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. If you like a bit of heat, add the crushed dried red chili peppers at this stage and sauté them with the garlic.
Step 5
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the prepared zucchini to the pan. Sauté the zucchini with the garlic over medium heat until it becomes tender but still retains a slight bite. Avoid overcooking it to mushiness.
Step 6
Add the scraped pollack roe to the pan with the zucchini. Gently break up the roe with a spatula or spoon as it cooks, mixing it well with the zucchini. Allow the savory flavor of the pollack roe to meld with the zucchini.
Step 7
Now, add the cooked pasta and 2-3 ladles of the reserved pasta water to the pan. Stir everything together over medium heat for about 1 minute, allowing the sauce to emulsify and coat the pasta. The starch from the pasta water will help thicken the sauce beautifully. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
Step 8
Transfer the finished Zucchini and Pollack Roe Pasta to a serving plate. Garnish generously with thinly julienned seasoned laver (gim) or seaweed flakes for an extra layer of umami and crispiness. Enjoy your delicious homemade pasta!
