Stir-Fried Zucchini with Salted Shrimp (Ae-hobak Saewoojeot Bokkeum)
Stir-Fried Zucchini with Salted Shrimp (Ae-hobak Saewoojeot Bokkeum)
Sweet and Savory Stir-Fried Zucchini with Salted Shrimp: A Flavorful Side Dish!
Gently stir-fried over low heat, this zucchini dish with salted shrimp is a delightful accompaniment to any meal. The addition of salted shrimp brings out the inherent sweetness of the zucchini and imparts a wonderful umami depth. A generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a nutty aroma and flavor. Pre-salting the zucchini helps to remove excess moisture, ensuring it retains its vibrant color and a pleasant, slightly crisp texture after cooking. As zucchini is in season, this is a healthy and delicious way to enjoy its fresh flavor. It’s a versatile side dish that can be enjoyed daily.
Ingredients- 1 medium zucchini
- 30g carrot (about 1/5 of a carrot)
- 30g chives (about a small handful)
- 100g onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salted shrimp (saewoojeot)
- 0.3 tsp salt (for pre-salting)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp grapeseed oil (or other cooking oil)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare and chop all your ingredients. You’ll need about 100g of onion (half a medium onion), 30g of carrot (about a fifth of a carrot), 30g of chives (a small handful), 2 cloves of garlic (minced, about 1 Tbsp), and 1 tsp of salted shrimp. Wash the chives and cut them into approximately 5cm lengths.
Step 2
Wash the zucchini, cut it in half lengthwise, and then slice it into half-moon shapes about 0.7cm thick. Sprinkle the sliced zucchini with 0.3 tsp of salt and let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture. This step is crucial for preventing the zucchini from becoming too watery and mushy during cooking, and it also helps to maintain its vibrant green color.
Step 3
Thinly slice the carrot, creating decorative shapes like ginkgo leaves if desired. Slice the onion into 1cm thick strips. Mince the garlic if you haven’t already. Set aside the chopped chives.
Step 4
After salting, gently squeeze out the excess moisture from the zucchini slices with your hands. Heat 1 Tbsp of grapeseed oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced onion, and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the onion becomes translucent. Then, add the sliced carrots and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
Step 5
Add the squeezed zucchini slices to the pan with the onions and carrots. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir-fry until the zucchini begins to look slightly translucent and oily. At this point, add 1 tsp of salted shrimp. Use chopsticks to gently stir and mix the ingredients for about 2 minutes, being careful not to break up the zucchini. Stir-frying with salted shrimp infuses the dish with a deep, savory flavor that complements the zucchini’s natural sweetness.
Step 6
Once everything is combined, cover the pan with a lid and continue to cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Briefly lift the lid halfway through to give the ingredients a gentle stir, ensuring even cooking.
Step 7
After 5 minutes, remove the lid. If there is still a lot of liquid in the pan, increase the heat to medium-high and stir-fry quickly to evaporate the excess moisture. This step helps to firm up the zucchini’s texture and concentrate the flavors.
Step 8
Once most of the moisture has evaporated, add the chopped chives and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil to the pan. Gently toss everything together. Cover the pan again and let it steam over low heat for about 2 minutes. This allows the chives to wilt slightly and the sesame oil to infuse its aroma throughout the dish.
Step 9
Finally, remove the lid, give the stir-fry one last gentle mix, and sprinkle generously with 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. Your delicious Stir-Fried Zucchini with Salted Shrimp is now ready to serve!
