Crispy Round Zucchini Stir-fry with Salted Shrimp
Crispy Round Zucchini Stir-fry with Salted Shrimp
Round Zucchini Delight: A Flavorful Stir-fry with Salted Shrimp!
I decided to stir-fry the round zucchini gifted by a friend, seasoned with savory salted shrimp. This dish offers a wonderful texture and taste, making it a perfect side for any meal.
Main Ingredients- 1 Round Zucchini (about the size of 2 adult fists)
- 1 Onion (small size)
- 2 Korean Green Chili Peppers (Cheongyang peppers)
- 1/2 Green Onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 2-3 Tbsp Sunflower Oil (or cooking oil)
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Salted Shrimp (including the brine)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2-3 Tbsp Sunflower Oil (or cooking oil)
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Salted Shrimp (including the brine)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the round zucchini. Trim off both ends, then cut the zucchini into four lengthwise wedges. Carefully scoop out and discard the seedy core from each wedge. This step helps to prevent the zucchini from becoming too watery when stir-fried, resulting in a better texture.
Step 2
Slice the prepared zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Aim for a thickness of about 0.5 cm (about 1/4 inch). Slicing them not too thinly will help them maintain a pleasant crispiness and prevent them from breaking apart during cooking.
Step 3
Thinly slice the onion to a similar thickness as the zucchini. Finely chop the green onion and mince the Korean green chili peppers (removing seeds if you prefer less heat). The chili peppers will add a lovely spicy kick to the stir-fry.
Step 4
Heat a wok or a deep pan over medium-low heat and add 2-3 tablespoons of sunflower oil. Add the chopped green onion and minced garlic. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, creating an aromatic garlic and green onion oil. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 5
Once the oil is fragrant, add all the sliced zucchini to the pan. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry briskly to coat the zucchini with the oil. Then, pour in 1/3 cup of water and continue to cook until the zucchini is slightly tender. This method helps to retain the zucchini’s sweetness while preventing it from becoming mushy.
Step 6
Now, add the key seasoning ingredient: 1.5 tablespoons of salted shrimp (including its brine for extra flavor). Stir well with a spatula to evenly distribute the salted shrimp throughout the zucchini. Ensure the zucchini absorbs the salty, umami flavor of the shrimp paste as you stir-fry.
Step 7
Add the sliced onion and minced green chili peppers to the pan. Continue to stir-fry until the onions become translucent and slightly softened. The flavors will meld beautifully, creating a delicious balance of sweet zucchini, savory salted shrimp, and a hint of spice from the peppers.
Step 8
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for garnish. Your delicious round zucchini stir-fry with salted shrimp is ready! It pairs wonderfully with a warm bowl of rice.
