Savory Sautéed Zucchini Strips (Ae-hobak Bokkeum)
Savory Sautéed Zucchini Strips (Ae-hobak Bokkeum)
Easy and Delicious Sautéed Zucchini Strips Side Dish
This is a simple yet delightful side dish of sautéed zucchini noodles. It’s also wonderfully delicious when added to bibimbap! Enjoy this versatile and healthy vegetable dish.
Ingredients- 1 medium zucchini (about 250g)
- 1/2 medium onion (about 70g)
- 1/4 medium carrot (about 30g)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (15g)
- 1 Tbsp tuna extract (15ml) (or Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1.5 Tbsp perilla oil (22.5ml)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of sesame oil (optional)
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- Vegetable oil, as needed
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini thoroughly and pat it dry. Trim off both ends and then slice it diagonally into approximately 0.5 cm thick pieces. This makes it easier to cut into strips later.
Step 2
Lay the diagonally sliced zucchini flat on a cutting board. Now, carefully cut each slice into thin strips, about 0.5 cm thick. Try to keep the thickness consistent; if they are too thin, they might break apart when sautéed.
Step 3
Thinly julienne the onion and carrot to a similar thickness as the zucchini. Mince the garlic finely. The carrot adds a lovely color, but you can omit it if you don’t have any.
Step 4
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add a generous drizzle of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, making sure it doesn’t burn. This infuses the oil with garlic flavor.
Step 5
Once the garlic is fragrant, add all the julienned zucchini, onion, and carrot to the pan at once.
Step 6
Increase the heat to medium and stir-fry the vegetables for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, just until they begin to soften slightly. You want them tender but still retaining a slight crispness, so avoid overcooking.
Step 7
When the vegetables are partially cooked, drizzle 1 tablespoon of tuna extract around the edges of the pan. Tuna extract adds a wonderful umami flavor; if you don’t have it, Korean soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang) can be a good substitute. Stir-fry gently over medium heat to distribute the seasoning evenly.
Step 8
Taste the sautéed vegetables and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt if needed. Keep in mind that zucchini releases its own moisture, so season cautiously and taste as you go.
Step 9
Turn off the heat. Drizzle 1.5 tablespoons of perilla oil over the dish. Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and gently toss everything together to combine. The nutty aroma of perilla oil and sesame seeds is delightful. You can add a touch of sesame oil for extra flavor if you like.
Step 10
Your delicious sautéed zucchini strips are ready! They are great served immediately, but they become even more moist and tender as they sit, thanks to the natural moisture released by the zucchini. Enjoy this lovely side dish with your meal!
