Description
Korean cucumber kimchi delivers a zesty punch of fermented goodness. Crisp vegetables and tangy seasonings create a refreshing side dish that will awaken your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 small cucumbers (Persian or Kirby cucumbers)
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) coarse salt
- 2 tsp (10 g) sugar
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) fish sauce
- 1 tsp (5 mL) sesame oil
- 2 tsp (10 g) minced garlic
- 1 tsp (5 g) minced ginger
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp (5 g) sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously wash and slice cucumbers into uniform bite-sized segments, creating visually appealing one-inch chunks.
- Salt Treatment: Generously coat cucumber pieces with salt and sugar, massaging thoroughly to extract moisture, then rest for 25-30 minutes to release natural liquids.
- Flavor Composition: Create a vibrant seasoning blend combining gochugaru, fish sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, green onions, and sesame seeds to develop a complex flavor profile.
- Cleansing and Drying: Rinse cucumber pieces under cool water to remove excess salt, then carefully pat dry with a clean kitchen towel to eliminate residual moisture.
- Marination: Thoroughly incorporate seasoning mixture into cucumbers, ensuring each piece receives an even, luxurious coating of the spicy, fragrant marinade.
- Flavor Melding: Refrigerate kimchi for 1-2 hours to allow flavors to harmonize and intensify, though the dish remains delectable when consumed immediately.
- Serving: Present chilled as a refreshing, zesty side dish that showcases a dynamic blend of textures and bold Korean-inspired seasonings.
Notes
- Cucumber Selection: Choose firm, crisp cucumbers without soft spots or yellowing for the best texture and flavor.
- Salt Precision: Avoid over-salting; use just enough to draw out moisture without making the kimchi excessively salty.
- Temperature Control: Refrigerate immediately after seasoning to maintain crispness and prevent bacterial growth.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace fish sauce with soy sauce or liquid aminos for a plant-based version without compromising umami depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg