Crispy Summer Delicacy! Baek Jong-won’s Spicy Pickled Cucumber Salad (Neul-gaeng Oi Muchim)
How to Make Baek Jong-won’s Spicy Pickled Cucumber Salad with 7-Month Seasonally Available Old Cucumbers – A Perfect Side Dish for Summer!
Let’s make a crispy, refreshing pickled cucumber salad with seasonal old cucumbers.
Main Ingredients- 1 Old Cucumber (Neul-gaeng Oi)
- 1 handful Scallions
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Hello everyone! Today, we’re going to make a truly delicious ‘Spicy Pickled Old Cucumber Salad’ using old cucumbers, which are in season in July. The crispy texture makes it a great side dish for rice, and it’s perfect for whetting your appetite during the summer with its simple preparation.
Step 2
First, peel the old cucumber thoroughly. If the skin feels thick, you can use a knife or a peeler to remove it thinly. Then, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds using a spoon. Be careful not to scoop too deep, as it might break apart. Cut the prepared cucumber into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 cm thick. Place the sliced cucumber in a bowl, add 1-2 tablespoons of coarse salt, mix well, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to pickle. This pickling process helps to draw out the moisture from the cucumber, ensuring a crisp texture.
Step 3
Once the cucumber is well-pickled, rinse it under cold running water 2-3 times to remove excess salt. Squeeze out as much water as possible from the rinsed cucumber using both hands. It’s crucial to remove as much moisture as you can, as leftover water can make the seasoning diluted and the cucumber mushy. Transfer the squeezed cucumber to a bowl. Add the seasoning ingredients: 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 1 teaspoon of gochugaru, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and one handful of finely chopped scallions. Finally, sprinkle a pinch of sesame seeds on top. Now, gently mix everything with your hands until the seasoning is evenly distributed over the cucumber. Avoid mixing too vigorously, as this can mash the cucumber; handle it gently.
Step 4
And there you have it – a delicious Spicy Pickled Old Cucumber Salad! The sweet, sour, and spicy flavors combined with the satisfyingly crunchy texture are truly exceptional. It’s delicious right away, but chilling it in the refrigerator for a while will make it even more refreshing and tasty. This addictive summer side dish will have you finishing a bowl of rice in no time. Be sure to give it a try!
