Simple Stir-Fried Zucchini
Simple Stir-Fried Zucchini
Stir-Fried Zucchini: A Versatile Side Dish for Banchan, Bibimbap, or Garnishes!
Zucchini is firmer and less sweet than Korean zucchini (aehobak), so I pondered how to cook it until tender and delicious. This recipe reduces oil and adds water to the basic method. It preserves the clean, subtly sweet natural flavor, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal! 🙂
Main Ingredients- 2 medium zucchini
- 1/2 medium onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and prepare the 2 medium zucchini. Slice them into half-moon shapes or your preferred size, about 0.5 cm thick. Peel and thinly slice the 1/2 medium onion. Having your ingredients prepped beforehand makes the cooking process smoother.
Step 2
Heat a pan over medium heat and add 3 Tbsp of water. Adding water before stir-frying helps prevent the zucchini from burning and allows it to cook gently, resulting in a softer texture.
Step 3
Add the sliced zucchini to the pan and sprinkle with 3 pinches of salt evenly. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes. The salt will help draw out some moisture from the zucchini and add flavor. Start stir-frying over medium-high heat.
Step 4
Once the zucchini begins to turn slightly translucent, add 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic. Stir-frying with garlic infuses the zucchini with its aroma and adds a deeper flavor. Reduce the heat to medium-low to prevent burning.
Step 5
When the zucchini surfaces become mostly translucent and tender (about halfway cooked), add the sliced onion and 1/3 Tbsp of salted shrimp. Stir-fry together. Salted shrimp adds a rich umami flavor, making the dish much more complex than using just salt. Add the remaining 1 Tbsp of water during this stage to keep the zucchini moist. Continue to stir-fry slowly over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, ensuring the zucchini is fully cooked. Mix occasionally.
Step 6
Once the zucchini is completely tender and the onions are sweet and cooked through, turn off the heat. For an extra touch of flavor and texture, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds if desired. Your delicious and subtly sweet stir-fried zucchini is ready! Serve it over warm rice or use it as a vibrant ingredient in bibimbap.
