Pan-Grilled Zucchini Salad (Oil-Free)
Enjoy a Deliciously Light and Flavorful Grilled Zucchini Salad, Made Without Oil!
Did your zucchini grow a bit larger than expected? Don’t worry! Pan-grilling them over medium heat without any oil creates a wonderfully light and satisfying zucchini salad. The combination of savory seasonings makes it incredibly appetizing, perfect for enjoying endlessly.
Main Ingredients- 1 Zucchini (adjust size as needed)
- 1 stalk Green Onion
- 2 Red Chilies
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Slice the zucchini into bite-sized pieces, about 1cm thick. Half-moon shapes or small wedges work well. Avoid slicing them too thinly, as they might break apart during cooking, and too thickly, which would require longer cooking time. The thickness is key for perfect grilling.
Step 2
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the zucchini slices onto the hot pan, one by one. The secret is to grill them without any added oil! This allows the zucchini’s natural moisture and sweetness to shine through, creating a tender interior with a slightly seared exterior. Grill until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook the other side until tender. Transfer the grilled zucchini to a mixing bowl.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the seasoning. Finely chop the green onion and thinly slice the red chilies after removing the seeds. In a separate bowl, combine the gochugaru, soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, and plum extract. Mix well to create the seasoning paste. Plum extract is a great addition for summer dishes; it aids digestion, has preservative qualities, and can help prevent food poisoning.
Step 4
Add the chopped green onion and sliced red chilies to the seasoning paste. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring there are no clumps of chili flakes. If the seasoning seems too thick, you can add a tiny splash of water.
Step 5
Pour the prepared seasoning over the grilled zucchini in the mixing bowl. Gently toss and mix everything together, being careful not to break the zucchini slices. Ensure the seasoning coats each piece evenly.
Step 6
Finally, drizzle in 2 tablespoons of perilla oil. For an enhanced flavor, you can mix perilla oil and sesame oil in a 1:1 ratio. If you enjoy a bit of spice, feel free to add some finely chopped Cheongyang chili peppers. This finished grilled zucchini salad is incredibly flavorful without being heavy, making it irresistible. It’s a fantastic side dish for any meal or a great accompaniment to drinks!
