Mom’s Classic Stir-Fried Zucchini with Salted Shrimp
Mom’s Classic Stir-Fried Zucchini with Salted Shrimp
Easy and Delicious Stir-Fried Zucchini Recipe with Salted Shrimp Sauce | How to Make Stir-Fried Zucchini
This is a side dish my mom used to make often. It’s a familiar taste that brings back childhood memories every time I eat it. Give it a try!
Ingredients- 1 medium zucchini (about 350g)
- 1/2 – 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for salting zucchini)
- 1 medium onion (about 150g)
- 100g green onion (scallion)
- 1 – 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2/3 – 1 Tbsp salted shrimp (with brine)
- 1/3 tsp salt (for final seasoning)
- 1 red chili pepper (about 12g)
- 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini thoroughly. Trim about 1cm off both ends (stem and blossom end). Then, cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, and slice each half into approximately 0.5cm thick semi-circles. Avoid slicing too thinly, as they might become mushy during stir-frying.
Step 2
Place the sliced zucchini in a large bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 to 1 Tbsp of coarse salt. Gently toss to coat. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to salt and draw out moisture. You’ll notice the zucchini wilting. After salting, squeeze out as much liquid as possible with your hands. This step is crucial for a good texture, preventing the zucchini from becoming too watery.
Step 3
Prepare one medium onion (about 150g). Cut it in half and then slice it thinly into strips. Slicing them a bit thicker will prevent them from burning too quickly during the stir-frying process.
Step 4
Wash 100g of green onion (scallion) well, using both the white and green parts. Finely chop them. You can also slice them diagonally if you prefer.
Step 5
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add 1 to 2 Tbsp of cooking oil.
Step 6
Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and chopped green onions. Stir-fry briefly until fragrant, creating a flavorful garlic and green onion oil. Be careful not to burn them.
Step 7
Add the thinly sliced onions to the pan with the fragrant oil.
Step 8
Continue to stir-fry over medium heat for about 1 minute, until the onions become translucent. This will release their natural sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 9
Once the onions are partially cooked, add the squeezed zucchini to the pan and mix everything together. It’s best to cook over medium heat rather than high heat to ensure the zucchini cooks through without burning.
Step 10
As the zucchini begins to cook, add 2/3 to 1 Tbsp of salted shrimp, including its brine. Salted shrimp provides a much deeper and richer umami flavor compared to regular salt or soy sauce.
Step 11
To balance the saltiness of the salted shrimp and prevent the stir-fry from becoming too dry, carefully add 4 Tbsp of water.
Step 12
Mix the ingredients well with the salted shrimp. Taste and adjust seasoning with 1/3 tsp of salt if needed, according to your preference. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the zucchini to become tender.
Step 13
Turn off the heat once all ingredients are cooked. Finally, sprinkle with 1 finely chopped red chili pepper (about 12g) for a touch of color and 1/2 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for nutty aroma. This completes your delicious stir-fried zucchini with salted shrimp. Gently tossing it like a salad will enhance the taste even further.
