This is a Korean side dish. Simple and yet delicious. You can mix green and yellow zucchini for a more interesting presentation.Wonder about the history of Namool or Namul? At the end of 7th century, Korea entered a long stable period based on Buddhist culture for few hundreds years. Diet changed with dramatic reduction in meat consumption and vegetables took a more significant role. Temple meals consisted of soup, rice and vegetables dishes and this influence omitting the strong-smelling ingredients is still apparent in Korean Side dishes. Marinating Vegetables in soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame seeds have barely changed.
Source: The Complete Book of Korean Cooking, Young Jin Song
Preparation: 10 mins, Cooking time: 5 mins
Ingredients (serves 2)
° 150g zucchini, sliced or thin strips
Seasoning
° ¾ tablespoon sesame oil
° ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
° 1 teaspoon sugar or to taste
° ½ -1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds
Method
1. Blanch the zucchini in a pot of boiling water for 1 minute. Drain well and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
2. Transfer the zucchini to a big bowl or plate. Stir in the sesame oil, salt, sugar and mix well.
3. Sprinkle the sesame seeds and serve.
Funny, in south east France (Provence), we make something similar, which we call raw zucchini pasta : raw zucchini (peeled the whole, so it makes like green pasta) + lemon juice + garlic + olive oil + salt + pepper --> marinated for at least 1 hour. Thanks for the historical words on vegetarian food in Korea.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just read about it and find that interesting :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Raw Zucchini Paste! Something new to me, you give me idea to use yellow zucchini cut in thin long strips to make flake “Pasta Aglio Olio” – olive oil, salt, chilli. Thank a lot :)
Just side track a little bit, I found this wonderful list which I think Vegetarians/Vegan might be interested - Vegetarian Restaurants in Korea from the Visit Korea Official Site:
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/CU/CU_EN_8_1_4_2.jsp
Went to Korea early this month on a Guided Tour, so the above list didn’t come to any use but I found that something related to Vegetarianism in Useful expressions at Restaurant section – http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/CU/CU_EN_8_1_2_4.jsp :
Are there any vegetarian foods? (in Korean language)
I'm a vegetarian. Please don't put meat (egg) in my food. (in Korean language)
Copied that to communicate at the non-vegetarian eateries, but I feel that it could be improved to something like this:
- I am a vegetarian. Please don’t put meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish in my food.
- I am a vegan. Please don’t put dairy products, eggs or any other animal product in my food.
- Does the noodle soup contain any fish or meat broth?
Anyway, I feedback to Visit Korea Official Site, together with the difficulties of finding Vegetarian Food at Incheon Airport etc
It was in the news that stated - "Seoul on $61m drive to promote cuisine abroad, plans to set up oversea eateries, cooking school.” I wonder whether that includes Vegetarian Korean Cuisine.
Cheers :)
It would be nice if any countries tourist office website with any such info on Vegetarian Restaurants, inform the Vegetarian Societies around the World.
ReplyDeleteI think we Veg*n would be delighted to know it.
Thanks for this information. I guess we will wait a long time before the French tourism office gives some details for vegetarians. Too bad! However, things seems to change a bit as we receive more and more vegetarian and vegan tourists.
ReplyDeleteDo you know Barbara's blog ?
http://myveganspoons.blogspot.com/
Barbara is a vegan Canadian woman who lives in Korea. Maybe she can advise you some places and restaurants if you come back in Korea one day.
I'm still working on the translation.
Cheers.
Hi Virginie Pean
ReplyDeleteNo worries, take your time :) Yes, Barbaba from The Vegan Spoons, I read her blog too.
Cheers :)