Soba with vegetables

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you make soba with vegetables? Gather the ingredients for the noodles. Use a young zucchini — it's tender and tasty. Salt isn't needed; soy sauce takes its place. Instead of ground spices, you can use fresh ginger and garlic. You can also add eggplant and green beans to the vegetables.

2. Step 2:

   

   Wash the carrot well, then peel it. It's important that the vegetables are dry, since they'll be fried — excess moisture makes the oil sizzle and spit. Cut the carrot into narrow strips, the cut traditionally used for Japanese noodles.

3. Step 3:

   

   Wash and dry the zucchini. If the skin is too thick, peel it off with a vegetable peeler. Cut the zucchini the same way as the carrot.

4. Step 4:

   

   Wash and dry the bell pepper. Cut it into the same matchsticks as the other vegetables.

5. Step 5:

   

   Set a large skillet for the vegetables and a pot for the noodles on the stove. The vegetables and noodles cook in about the same time, so we'll do them at once. Let the skillet heat up. Pour in the oil, then add the vegetables. Use high heat — the vegetables should fry, not steam. Add the sugar; it lightly caramelizes the vegetables and gives them a pretty sheen. Don't worry, they won't turn sweet — they'll just pick up a faint hint of it.

6. Step 6:

   

   Let the vegetables fry for 7–10 minutes, stirring now and then. Don't fry them any longer — they should stay slightly crisp. Meanwhile the water will have boiled; salt it lightly and add the noodles. Cook the noodles per the package directions, usually about 7 minutes. But don't overcook them — soba should stay slightly firm, al dente. That keeps them tastier and prevents them from clumping.

7. Step 7:

   

   Add the cooked noodles straight to the skillet of vegetables, skipping the colander. It's fine if a little water comes with them — it only makes the noodles juicier. Add the spices to the noodles and pour in the soy sauce. Stir.

8. Step 8:

   

   Cover the skillet, lower the heat, and let the noodles get acquainted with the vegetables and soak up the spice aromas. Let it cook this way for about 5 minutes. Then divide the noodles among plates, sprinkle sesame seeds over the top, and serve. Enjoy!