Oi-Sobagi (Korean Stuffed Cucumber Kimchi)

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. Vicky Wasik 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. Vicky Wasik 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. Vicky Wasik Add gochugaru and gently mix until gochugaru is thoroughly incorporated and begins to absorb liquid released by vegetables, about 1 minute. Vicky Wasik 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. Vicky Wasik