Flavorful Stir-Fried Zucchini with Fermented Shrimp
Flavorful Stir-Fried Zucchini with Fermented Shrimp
How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Zucchini with Fermented Shrimp! A Savory Zucchini Dish
Making simple side dishes! Zucchini and shrimp paste stir-fry recipe.
Ingredients for Stir-Fried Zucchini with Fermented Shrimp- 1 zucchini (choose a firm, fresh one)
- 1/3 onion (adds sweetness)
- 1 handful minced green onion (for flavor)
- 1 chili pepper (add for spiciness if desired)
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse salt (for drawing out moisture from zucchini)
- 1 Tbsp fermented shrimp (the key to savory flavor! Use mostly the solids)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (garlic aroma enhances the flavor)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (adds nutty flavor)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil (for stir-frying)
- 3 Tbsp cooking wine (removes any unwanted smell from zucchini and adds flavor)
- Sesame seeds to taste (for nutty flavor and garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the zucchini thoroughly under running water. Trim the ends, then cut it in half lengthwise. Slice each half into 0.5 cm thick half-moon shapes. Be careful not to slice too thinly, or it might become mushy when stir-fried.
Step 2
Place the sliced zucchini in a large bowl. To prevent it from becoming too soft and to improve its texture, sprinkle with 0.5 Tbsp of coarse salt and gently toss. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. This step is crucial for a better stir-fry.
Step 3
While the zucchini is salting, prepare the other vegetables. Slice the onion thinly or mince it. Finely mince the green onion. Finely chop the chili pepper (remove seeds if you prefer less heat). Adjust the amount of chili pepper according to your spice preference.
Step 4
After 10 minutes, rinse the salted zucchini 2-3 times under cold water to remove the saltiness. Then, gently squeeze out as much water as possible by hand. Ensure most of the water is removed to prevent a soggy stir-fry.
Step 5
Now, let’s start stir-frying! Heat a pan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic, perilla oil, and cooking oil. Stir-fry until a fragrant garlic aroma is released, being careful not to burn the garlic. Once the garlic is fragrant, proceed to the next step.
Step 6
When the garlic is fragrant, add the minced green onion and sliced onion. Stir-fry together until the vegetables are slightly softened and their sweetness is released.
Step 7
Stir-fry for about 1 minute until the aromatics are released, then add the fermented shrimp, which is the key to its savory flavor. It’s best to use mostly the solids from the fermented shrimp to make adjusting the saltiness easier.
Step 8
Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes after adding the fermented shrimp. Then, add the squeezed zucchini to the pan. Pour in the cooking wine to remove any unwanted smells and enhance the flavor, and stir well to combine.
Step 9
Continue to stir-fry until the zucchini becomes translucent and the onions are softened. Avoid overcooking; the zucchini should be tender but not mushy. Just cook until wilted.
Step 10
Finally, add the chopped chili pepper for a touch of heat and stir-fry for about 1 minute more. Once all ingredients are well combined, turn off the heat. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. Enjoy this delicious stir-fried zucchini with fermented shrimp immediately while warm, or let it cool to serve as a side dish!
