Simple Pan-Fried Zucchini with Spicy Sauce
Quick & Delicious: Pan-Fried Zucchini in 5 Minutes with a Zesty Spicy Sauce
Hello everyone! Today, I’m sharing a super simple yet incredibly delicious recipe for pan-fried zucchini. It’s so easy to make – just slice and fry – that you’ll be asking yourself, ‘Was zucchini always this tasty?’ The natural sweetness of the zucchini combined with a vibrant spicy sauce creates a flavor explosion that’s truly addictive. Highly recommended for a quick side dish or even a light meal! Let’s get started! 😊
Main Ingredient- 1 medium zucchini
Spicy & Sweet Sauce Ingredients- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini thoroughly. Trim off both ends, then slice it thinly to about 0.5 cm (or 1/4 inch) thick. Slicing them too thick will take longer to cook, while too thin might cause them to break apart, so aim for a consistent, moderate thickness!
Step 2
Heat your pan over medium-low heat. Add a generous amount of cooking oil. Arrange the sliced zucchini in a single layer in the pan. Make sure they aren’t overlapping too much so they cook evenly and get nicely browned.
Step 3
Fry the zucchini slices, flipping them over once they turn golden brown on one side. Controlling the heat is key! If the heat is too high, the outside might burn before the inside is cooked. Gentle, medium-low heat is perfect for this. Keep frying until the zucchini is tender and releases a sweet, nutty aroma, similar to roasted sweet potatoes. This is the secret to unlocking their deliciousness.
Step 4
Once beautifully pan-fried to a golden hue, carefully remove the zucchini slices from the pan. You can gently dab them with a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Arrange them neatly on a serving plate. The goal is to highlight the zucchini’s natural sweetness and tender texture.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the zesty spicy sauce to elevate our zucchini! In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic. Whisk everything together until well combined. Once your sauce is ready, simply drizzle it generously over the pan-fried zucchini. This dish is fantastic served over warm rice like a savory topping, or enjoyed simply as a side dish. The combination of soft, sweet zucchini and the vibrant, spicy-sweet sauce is a match made in heaven, promising to make your mealtime truly special! Give it a try! 👍
