Tender and Chewy Zucchini Leaf Wraps
Tender and Chewy Zucchini Leaf Wraps
Steaming Zucchini Leaves for a Perfect Wrap: Time, Preparation, and Cooking Tips
With Chuseok just around the corner, I visited my in-laws over the weekend. My mother-in-law had already picked and stored zucchini leaves, and she kindly packed some for me to take home. I immediately steamed them to enjoy their fresh, natural flavor.
Main Ingredients- 12 fresh zucchini leaves
- 500ml water
For Washing- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 12 fresh zucchini leaves for a delicious wrap. This quantity is ample for two people to enjoy as a meal.
Step 2
If the zucchini leaf stems are long, trim them with scissors, leaving about 5cm, to make them easier to handle. (My mother-in-law had already trimmed them short, so I used them as they were.)
Step 3
To make the zucchini leaves softer, gently peel away the slightly rough outer skin starting from the stem end. This step helps to reduce any toughness.
Step 4
Place the prepared zucchini leaves into a bowl, ready for the next steps.
Step 5
To thoroughly clean the zucchini leaves, fill a bowl with enough water to submerge them. Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar and let them soak for 5 minutes. The vinegar helps remove any residual pesticides and eliminates any earthy smell from the leaves.
Step 6
After soaking, rinse the zucchini leaves under running water. Gently rub each leaf between your palms, front and back, to wash them thoroughly. Repeat this process about 3 times. Afterwards, place them on a colander to drain excess water.
Step 7
Now it’s time to steam the zucchini leaves. Pour 500ml of water into a pot, place a steamer basket on top, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Wait until the steam is sufficiently rising.
Step 8
Once the steamer is filled with abundant steam, carefully arrange all the prepared zucchini leaves in the steamer basket. Spreading them out without overlapping ensures they steam evenly.
Step 9
Cover the pot with a lid. When steam starts escaping from the lid, reduce the heat to medium-high and steam for about 4 minutes. The steaming time may vary depending on the quantity of zucchini leaves. For about 10 leaves, 4 minutes is a good starting point; if you have more, slightly increase the steaming time. Be careful not to overcook, as they can become mushy.
Step 10
After 4 minutes, open the lid and check if the zucchini leaves are well-steamed. They should feel tender and soft to the touch. Transfer the steamed leaves to a plate or colander, allowing them to cool slightly.
Step 11
If there’s a lot of moisture in the steamed zucchini leaves when you transfer them, gently press them with your hands to squeeze out the excess water. Let them cool completely, then enjoy them as wraps with your favorite dipping sauce and other fillings!
