Grilled Zucchini with Wild Chive Sauce
Delicious Grilled Zucchini Served with a Fragrant Wild Chive Dressing
Zucchini, known as ‘aehobak’ in Korean, is a young squash that has been a staple in Korean cuisine for ages. It’s known for being easily digestible and is believed to have benefits for preventing dementia and aiding brain development. Its versatility shines through in various dishes like stews, pancakes, stir-fries, salads, and porridges. Today, we’re presenting a delightful way to enjoy zucchini: grilled! By pairing it with a vibrant wild chive sauce, you can elevate the simple grilled zucchini to a new level of flavor. This recipe is perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Main Ingredients- 1 medium zucchini
Wild Chive Sauce- 1/2 bunch wild chives (approx. 30g), cleaned and chopped
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 7 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup) or other liquid sweetener
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 bunch wild chives (approx. 30g), cleaned and chopped
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 7 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup) or other liquid sweetener
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini thoroughly under running water and pat it dry. Trim off the ends and slice it into rounds about 0.5 cm thick. Aim for a consistent thickness so the zucchini cooks evenly. Slicing them too thin might cause them to break apart during cooking, while slices that are too thick might take longer to cook through.
Step 2
Next, prepare the wild chives for the sauce. Carefully wash the wild chives, making sure to remove any dirt or grit. Trim any tough stems and finely chop them into small pieces. The fresh, aromatic flavor of the wild chives will infuse the sauce beautifully.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious wild chive sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped wild chives, gochugaru, soy sauce, oligodang, plum extract, and toasted sesame seeds. Mix everything together well with a spoon or whisk until thoroughly combined. This sauce offers a wonderful balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors, enhanced by the fresh aroma of wild chives. Making the sauce ahead of time allows the flavors to meld together nicely.
Step 4
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the sliced zucchini in the dry pan, without adding any oil. Grill the zucchini slices, flipping them occasionally, until they are golden brown and tender on both sides. The zucchini will release its own moisture as it cooks, so oil is not necessary and helps maintain its natural flavor and texture.
Step 5
Once the zucchini slices are nicely grilled and tender, arrange them attractively on a serving plate. Serving them while warm adds to their appeal.
Step 6
Finally, generously spoon the prepared wild chive sauce over the grilled zucchini slices. You can adjust the amount of sauce to your preference. The combination of the fresh, zesty chive sauce and the subtly sweet grilled zucchini creates a delightful dish that’s perfect as a side or a light meal. Enjoy!
