**Cucumber Kimchi (Oi-sobagi): A Refreshing and Spicy Korean Side Dish**
Cucumber kimchi, also known as oi-sobagi in Korean, is a delightful side dish that combines the crispness of cucumbers with the spicy and tangy flavors of traditional kimchi. This refreshing dish is a staple in Korean cuisine and is often served alongside grilled meats, rice, or noodles. Unlike traditional kimchi, which is typically made with napa cabbage, cucumber kimchi is made with fresh cucumbers, giving it a lighter and more refreshing texture. The cucumbers are seasoned with a variety of ingredients, including gochugaru (Korean chili powder), garlic, ginger, and jeotgal (fermented seafood), and then fermented for a period of time, allowing the flavors to meld and develop. The result is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish, condiment, or even as a main course. This article provides detailed recipes for three variations of cucumber kimchi: a classic oi-sobagi, a spicy oi-sobagi with gochujang (Korean chili paste), and a vegan oi-sobagi made without jeotgal. With easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips, these recipes will guide you in creating your own delicious cucumber kimchi at home.
CUCUMBER KIMCHI (OI SOBAEGI)
Great dish. I had it while I was in Korea and had to bring it back with me; the recipe that is. The dish is ready after 30 minutes, but the cucumbers become infused with more flavor after 12 to 24 hours.
Provided by Eric Bazemore-Gardner
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Canning and Preserving Recipes Pickled
Time 1h10m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cut cucumber into 4-inch pieces and cut each piece into quarters. Place cucumber pieces in a bowl, add salt, and mix until coated. Let cucumbers stand at room temperature until liquid has been extracted, about 30 minutes; drain.
- Combine scallions, vinegar, garlic, ginger, chile oil, Korean chile powder, sugar, and fish sauce in a non-reactive bowl.
- Stir cucumbers into the vinegar mixture; cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate cucumber mixture until chilled and flavors have blended, at least 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 33.5 calories, Carbohydrate 3.9 g, Fat 2.1 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 0.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 365.7 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
OI SOBAGI
This spicy cucumber kimchi is a perfect summer side dish. (Oi means cucumber and sobagi indicates it's been cut in a cross shape and stuffed with a seasoned mixture.) It is often made with Korean cucumbers, which have very thin skins and few seeds, but this recipe uses Kirby cucumbers. They are more accessible in the U.S. and hold up just as well during the fermentation process, staying firm and crisp. Unlike traditional kimchi made with cabage, cucumber kimchi shouldn't be kept more than 7 days at most, and it is best eaten within 2 to 3 days.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 5h35m
Yield about 6 to 7 cups
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Whisk together the sea salt and 5 cups lukewarm water in a large bowl until most of the salt is dissolved, then set the brine aside.
- Cut off a small piece from both ends of the cucumbers, then halve each cucumber crosswise. Cut each half lengthwise from the wider end until you reach 1/2 inch from the thinner end. (Do not cut all the way through the cucumber.) Turn the cucumber 90 degrees and repeat the process. What you have now is 4 equal "spears" of the cucumber held together at the thinner end.
- Add the cucumbers to the brine and let soak until the spears can bend slightly without breaking, 3 to 4 hours. Drain the cucumbers cut-side down in a colander for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, whisk together rice flour, 1/4 teaspoon of the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small pot. Heat over medium-high heat and whisk constantly until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. (The mixture will start bubbling at about 2 minutes.) It is ready when you tilt the pot and streaks/lines in the mixture formed from the whisk on bottom of the pot don't fill in. Set the paste aside until ready to use.
- Combine the carrots, chives, onions, gochugaru, fish sauce, garlic, chili flakes, salted shrimp, the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and reserved paste in a medium bowl.
- Working with one cucumber at a time, hold the spears open with one hand and use your other hand to stuff the vegetable mixture between the spears and slather it all over. (Distribute the mixture evenly among the cucumbers.) Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and let sit at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours so the flavors develop more. I think the kimchi tastes best cold, so also like to refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
OI-SOBAGI (KOREAN STUFFED CUCUMBER KIMCHI)
Steps:
- Using a sharp knife, trim and discard both ends of the cucumbers. If using long cucumbers (about 10 inches), halve crosswise; for smaller kirby cucumbers, leave whole. Working with one piece of cucumber at a time, halve lengthwise, stopping 1/2 inch from the base to keep cucumber intact. Rotate cucumber 90 degrees and repeat cut, producing a quartered cucumber held together at one end. Repeat with remaining cucumbers.
- Set a colander inside a large bowl. Sprinkle cucumbers evenly with salt, seasoning the cut-open interiors as well as the skins. Arrange in colander, cut-side down, and set aside until cucumbers are softened, pliable, and have released a good amount of water into bowl, about 30 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup (60ml) of the salty cucumber liquid left in bowl; discard remaining liquid, and wipe out bowl.
- In now-empty bowl, combine daikon, carrot, Asian pear, garlic chives, scallions, garlic, saeujeot, and fish sauce. Using clean hands, gently mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside until vegetables release moisture and look wet on surface, about 1 minute.
- Add gochugaru and gently mix until gochugaru is thoroughly incorporated and begins to absorb liquid released by vegetables, about 1 minute.
- Working with one cucumber at a time, gently squeeze cucumber to release any residual excess moisture. Hold cucumber by un-cut end in your non-dominant hand and, using other hand, pick up approximately 1/3 cup (70g) of the vegetable mixture and gently stuff into cavity, taking care to keep cucumber intact. Transfer to a serving platter or container that can comfortably fit cucumbers in a single layer. Repeat stuffing process with remaining cucumbers. Top oi-sobagi with any leftover filling and reserved cucumber liquid. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
OI SOBAGI (STUFFED CUCUMBER KIMCHI)
This stuffed cucumber kimchi, called oi sobagi, is an easy kimchi to make! Being a summer favorite in Korea. It's crisp, crunchy and deliciously refreshing!
Provided by Hyosun
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Rinse cucumbers. Cut off both ends. If using long Korean cucumbers, cut in half (or thirds if long) crosswise.
- Add 6 cups of water with 1/2 cup of salt in a medium size pot. Bring it to a boil. Turn the heat off. Pour the boiling water over the cucumbers in a bowl. Keep the cucumbers submerged by weighing them down with a bowl or plate. Let it sit until the cucumbers are bendable, about an hour or two, depending on your cucumbers and salt.
- Meanwhile, cut the chives into 1/2 inch lengths. Julienne the radish (or onion), and then cut into the same lengths.
- Combine all the stuffing ingredients along with 1/4 cup of water, and mix well. It should taste a bit salty.
- Drain the cucumbers. Holding the top end of the cucumber on the cutting board, run a small knife through the middle lengthwise. Leave 1/2 inch uncut at both ends. Turn the cucumber and make another cut through the middle lengthwise to make a cross cut, again leaving 1/2 inch uncut at both ends. Repeat with all the cucumbers.
- Gently open each slit and insert about a teaspoonful or two of the stuffing. Be sure to fill all 4 slits of each cucumber. Repeat until all the cucumbers are stuffed. Place them in a jar or an airtight container. Leave it out at room temperature for a day. Then, store in the fridge.
OI SOBAGI (KOREAN CUCUMBER KIMCHI)
We have been wanting to do this oi sobagi banchan (cucumber kimchi side dish) for a long time but our local grocery store didn't have the Kirby cucumbers.
Provided by mykoreaneats
Categories Side Dish Vegetables
Time P1DT1h30m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place cucumbers onto one end, slice in half down the length to create and x-shape, leaving the last 1/4-inch uncut; place into a bowl. Combine 8 cups water and sea salt in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Pour brine mixture onto the cucumbers; brine until flavors combine, about 1 hour.
- Combine red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup water, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and fermented shrimp in a bowl; mix until sauce is thoroughly combined.
- Rinse cucumbers in cold water; place in a colander to drain. Sit until semi-dry, about 10 minutes.
- Lather cucumbers with sauce, inside and out, making sure to stuff the x-shaped cut as well. Place cucumbers, chives, radish, and sesame seeds in an air-tight container. Let sit at room temperature until flavors combine, 1 to 2 days; refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 33.1 calories, Carbohydrate 6.1 g, Cholesterol 0.5 mg, Fat 1.3 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 4449.5 mg, Sugar 2.2 g
CUCUMBER KIMCHI (OIE SOBAEGI)
Provided by Food Network
Yield 1 Pint.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Halve each cucumber horizontally, then each half vertically in 4 to make 32 pieces in all. Rub them all over with salt and set aside to drain in a colander for 1 hour. In a medium bowl combine remaining ingredients.
- Rinse cucumbers with cold water, drain well and pat dry. Taste for seasoning and salt lightly if no salty flavor remains. Toss with dressing. Transfer to a 1-pint jar and cover tightly. Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours before serving. Can be made several weeks ahead and refrigerated.
SPICY STUFFED CUCUMBER KIMCHI (OI-SOBAGI)
Cucumber kimchi (oi-sobagi) is made by turning a cucumber into a pocket and stuffing it with vegetables and kimchi paste. It's delicious and refreshing and it's a great kimchi to make when cucumbers are in season and you don't feel like waiting for your kimchi to ferment. You can eat this right...
Categories Kimchi
Yield Medium-sized batch
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Wash the cucumbers. Make pockets out of them by slicing them twice lengthwise at right angles, ½ inch from one end so the cucumber quarters are still connected to each other at the end. Put them in a big bowl, and sprinkle and rub them with salt inside and out. Let them sit for 10 minutes on the kitchen counter, and then turn them over so they're evenly salted. Then turn them over and let them sit another 10 minutes. Rinse the cucumbers in cold water a couple of times to remove excess salt. Drain and set aside.
- Combine buchu (Asian chives), carrot, hot pepper flakes, fish sauce, sugar, and sesame seeds in a large bowl. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Stuff the seasoning paste into the cucumber pockets. If you have sensitive skin, you can wear rubber gloves for this because the paste might irritate your hands.
- Serve immediately as a side dish for rice, and keep the leftovers in the refrigerator. If you prefer it to be fermented a bit more, let the container sit at room temperature for a couple of days until it smells and tastes sour. Then put it into the fridge. Serve cold.
Tips:
- Choose the right cucumbers: Opt for fresh, firm cucumbers with no blemishes or bruises. English or Persian cucumbers are commonly used for making cucumber kimchi.
- Use clean and sterilized jars: To prevent contamination and ensure the longevity of your kimchi, make sure to thoroughly clean and sterilize your jars before use. You can do this by boiling them in hot water for 10 minutes.
- Wear gloves: When handling chili peppers, especially spicy varieties like gochugaru, it's a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands from irritation.
- Adjust the spiciness to your preference: The amount of gochugaru (Korean chili powder) used in this recipe can be adjusted to your desired level of spiciness. If you prefer milder kimchi, use less gochugaru or omit it altogether.
- Maintain the right temperature: The ideal temperature for fermenting cucumber kimchi is between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (24°C). Keep the kimchi in a warm place, such as a kitchen counter or a warm corner of your pantry, during the fermentation process.
- Monitor the fermentation process: Check the kimchi regularly for signs of fermentation, such as bubbles or a slightly sour smell. The fermentation time can vary depending on the temperature and the desired level of sourness. Once the kimchi reaches your desired level of sourness, store it in the refrigerator to slow down the fermentation process.
Conclusion:
Cucumber kimchi is a delicious and versatile side dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. With its balanced flavors and unique texture, it is a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, seafood, and rice dishes. Whether you're a fan of spicy foods or prefer a milder version, this recipe offers the flexibility to adjust the spiciness level to your liking. Remember to follow the tips mentioned above to ensure a successful fermentation process and enjoy a delightful homemade cucumber kimchi. Happy cooking!
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