The korean-style stir-fried zucchini (also known as hobak bokkeum) are light, crunchy, and flavorful. They are very easy to make, prepared in just a few minutes, and so tasty that you won’t be able to resist them. They are perfect to accompany meat or fish dishes or to add an oriental touch to your poke bowls.
If you love oriental cuisine, this side dish is for you; otherwise, you can prepare more classic dishes like stir-fried zucchini or crunchy zucchini.
The recipe includes some ingredients that are only found in ethnic stores, such as avocado oil or fish sauce, but Korean cuisine allows substitutions with more common ingredients like sesame oil and soy sauce.
The cooking is very quick, 5 minutes are enough to achieve the right consistency; the zucchini should remain slightly crunchy. If you have time, you can prepare them in advance, they’ll be even better!
Before proceeding with the recipe, here are some ideas to try:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 135.57 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 5.02 (g) of which sugars 0.74 (g)
- Proteins 3.22 (g)
- Fat 12.27 (g) of which saturated 1.67 (g)of which unsaturated 9.97 (g)
- Fibers 1.91 (g)
- Sodium 456.18 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 100 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini (medium/large)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 fresh scallion (green)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil (you can substitute with sesame oil, seed oil, or light olive oil)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or fish sauce)
- to taste salt
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (toasted)
- to taste fresh scallion (sliced into rings)
- to taste sesame oil
Tools
- 1 Frying pan
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife very sharp
Procedure
Wash the zucchini, dry them, and remove the ends. With a very sharp knife or a mandoline, slice them into rounds about 1/8 inch thick.
Wash the scallion and slice it into rings, peel the garlic and chop it finely. If you only want to use it to flavor the zucchini, cut it in half and remove it at the end of cooking.
Preheat the pan over medium heat. When it’s hot, add 1 tablespoon of avocado or sesame oil, add the zucchini, and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring often.
Add 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, the sesame seeds, chopped garlic, scallion rings, and a pinch of salt; increase the heat and sauté everything for 2 more minutes.
Transfer the zucchini to a large serving plate and garnish with more scallion, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of oil.
korean-style stir-fried zucchini are ready, serve them cold or at room temperature.
Tips
Storage
The korean-style stir-fried zucchini can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days.
Serve them cold or at room temperature.
************************
For recipe tips, contact me on FACEBOOK and, if you like, follow me on INSTAGRAM
Send me your photos, I will happily publish them on my social media
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use scallion in korean-style zucchini?
Yes, you can safely use it even though its flavor is sweeter and less aromatic.
Can I substitute sesame oil with seed oil in korean-style zucchini?
I do not recommend using seed oil because it’s tasteless, whereas sesame oil is more aromatic. If you don’t have allergies, you can buy it at any large supermarket.
Can I add chili peppers to korean-style zucchini?
Yes, this side dish can also be served spicy. Add fresh jalapeño chili or dried chili.
