Spicy Stir-Fried Zucchini with Fermented Shrimp
How to Make Stir-Fried Zucchini with Fermented Shrimp: A Spicy Zucchini Dish with Chili Powder
This is a stir-fried zucchini dish with fermented shrimp, made spicy with the addition of chili powder. It’s a flavorful side dish that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 green onion
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 Korean green chili pepper (cheongyang)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini and remove the ends. Slice it into half-moon shapes about 0.5 cm thick; avoid slicing too thinly, as it can break apart during cooking. Slice the onion in half and then into strips. Slice the green onion diagonally. Slice the red chili pepper and the Korean green chili pepper diagonally as well. Removing the seeds from the chili peppers will make the dish less spicy.
Step 2
Heat a pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add the sliced zucchini and onion and begin to stir-fry. Once the onion becomes slightly translucent, add the zucchini and continue to stir-fry until it softens slightly. Next, add 1 tablespoon of fermented shrimp (saeujeot) and stir-fry briefly to allow the umami flavor to meld with the zucchini. (Tip: Adjust the amount of fermented shrimp to your preference. Although the photo shows 1/2 Tbsp, this recipe uses a total of 1 Tbsp.)
Step 3
Pour 100ml of water into the pan. Once it comes to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low. Now, add 1 tablespoon of chili powder for that spicy kick and mix well. Let it simmer until the liquid reduces to a saucy consistency, allowing the zucchini to absorb the delicious seasoning.
Step 4
When the liquid has reduced to your liking, taste the dish and add more fermented shrimp if needed to achieve your desired saltiness. Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onion, red chili pepper, and Korean green chili pepper. Stir-fry quickly over high heat. Be careful not to overcook and mash the zucchini; stir-fry just enough to lightly cook the peppers and onions while retaining their fresh flavor! 🙂
Step 5
Turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds for added aroma and flavor. Gently toss everything together to finish the dish.
Step 6
Behold! The appetizing and spicy stir-fried zucchini with fermented shrimp is ready in less than 20 minutes! It’s wonderful how you can make such a delicious side dish with simple, common ingredients. Served over warm rice, it’s an absolute meal-starter. Give it a try today!
