Crispy Pickled Old Cucumber Salad
Summer Delight: Revitalize Your Appetite with Pickled Old Cucumber Salad
Introducing a recipe for a refreshingly sweet, sour, and crispy pickled old cucumber salad that will awaken your appetite on lazy summer days. The unique cool and crisp texture of old cucumbers combined with a savory seasoning makes it perfect as a side dish for rice or a delightful snack with drinks. Make this delicious pickled old cucumber salad easily for your whole family to enjoy. Try it now!
Main Ingredients- 900g Old Cucumber
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp Fish Sauce or Yeondoo (soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Chopped Scallions
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp Fish Sauce or Yeondoo (soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Chopped Scallions
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the old cucumber thoroughly. Cut it in half, scoop out the seeds with a spoon, and use only the firm flesh. Discard any mushy parts. Then, slice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2
Place the sliced old cucumber in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of coarse salt and 0.5 tablespoon of sugar, then mix well. Let it pickle for about 30 minutes, stirring it 2-3 times in between to ensure it pickles evenly. This process helps draw out the moisture, maintaining the crisp texture.
Step 3
Using your hands or a clean cloth, squeeze out the excess water from the pickled old cucumber. Squeezing out the moisture thoroughly will prevent the salad from becoming watery and allow the seasoning to adhere better, making it more delicious.
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the delicious seasoning! In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, 0.5 tablespoon of fish sauce or yeondoo, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 3 tablespoons of chopped scallions, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Stir well until all the seasoning ingredients are evenly mixed.
Step 5
Add the well-drained old cucumber to the seasoning bowl. Put on disposable vinyl gloves and gently mix everything together with a ‘jomul-jomul’ motion, ensuring not to mash the cucumber. Careful mixing is key to preserving its texture.
Step 6
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds, and gently toss to combine. Your delicious pickled old cucumber salad is ready! The fragrant sesame oil and nutty sesame seeds will add a wonderful depth of flavor.
