Stir-Fried Zucchini with Dried Shrimp and Salted Shrimp
Delicious Stir-Fried Round Zucchini: Enhanced with Dried Shrimp and Salted Shrimp for Ultimate Umami!
Make a flavorful stir-fried zucchini dish using common round zucchini from your kitchen. This recipe uses salted shrimp (saeujeot) to add a deep, savory flavor, making it a perfect side dish for rice.
Main Ingredients- 1 Round Zucchini (approx. 500g)
- 1/2 cup Dried Shrimp (approx. 30g)
- 1/2 Onion (approx. 100g)
- 1 Stalk Scallion (approx. 50g)
- A little Red Bell Pepper (optional, can substitute with red chili pepper)
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Salted Shrimp (including liquid)
- 5 Tbsp Water
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Salted Shrimp (including liquid)
- 5 Tbsp Water
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the round zucchini thoroughly. Cut it in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half again, slicing it into thick pieces about 1cm thick. Don’t worry if there are seeds inside; they are soft and edible.
Step 2
Place the dried shrimp in a dry pan and lightly toast over low heat for 1-2 minutes. This process removes any fishy odor and enhances their nutty flavor.
Step 3
Peel and wash the half onion, then slice it into strips about 0.5cm thick.
Step 4
Wash the scallion stalk and thinly slice it crosswise. You can use both the white and green parts.
Step 5
If you have red bell pepper, slice a small amount for color. If using red chili pepper, remove the seeds and chop it finely to add. (Optional)
Step 6
Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced scallions, and sauté until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic and scallions; stir-frying until a gentle aroma rises is key.
Step 7
Once the garlic and scallions are fragrant, add the sliced zucchini to the pan. Pour in 5 tablespoons of water and stir-fry gently. Because the zucchini is sliced thickly, adding a little water helps to cook it evenly all the way through and prevents burning. Cook until the zucchini begins to look translucent.
Step 8
When the zucchini starts to soften, add the toasted dried shrimp and 1.5 tablespoons of salted shrimp. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes over medium-low heat with the lid on, allowing the zucchini to become tender.
Step 9
Once the zucchini is fully cooked, add the sliced onion and bell pepper (or red chili pepper). Stir-fry quickly until the vegetables are slightly softened. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a pinch of salt. I found the salted shrimp provided enough flavor, but feel free to adjust to your preference.
Step 10
Finally, drizzle in 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil and sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Give it a final mix to complete this delicious stir-fried zucchini.
Step 11
Enjoy this delightful stir-fried zucchini, which has a wonderful balance of crisp and tender textures, and a deep, savory flavor from the salted shrimp. It’s perfect with a bowl of warm rice!
