Zucchini Kimchi

Author Notes

Kimchi is Korea’s national dish. It is a fermented vegetable condiment – mainly using Napa cabbage – combined with a variety of seasonings such as Gochugaru, or Korean red pepper powder, garlic, ginger etc., There are over a thousand varieties of Kimchi in Korea, and they are categorized in terms of geographical locations, seasons, and temperature differences. For example, the Kimchi found in the Northern parts of Korea tends to have less salt and spice, and is way more watery in consistency.

Making Kimchi follows the science (and art, I’m told) of lacto-fermentation, whereby the zucchini is first tossed in coarse salt for 1 – 2 hours to kill any harmful bacteria, before it is combined with the seasonings. For the uninitiated, this may sound like some major scientific procedure, but I assure you that it’s no more than some chopping and rinsing action.

While purists claim that traditional Kimchi must include some sort of a seafood element – like shrimp paste or fish sauce – others completely frown upon the idea. Some have daikon radishes and carrots in their mix, while others don’t. The truth is, there is no one way of making Kimchi. There is only your way. Taste as you go as the seasonings are quite potent (esp the Gochujang paste – love this stuff), but other than that, you’re good to follow your own adventure. More than the sum of its parts, this simple Kimchi is both unusual and delicious! —Kirthana | Theblurrylime