Myeolchi-jeot

{{Infobox food

| name = Myeolchi-jeot

| image = Myeolchijeot (fermented anchovies).jpg

| caption =

| alternate_name = Meljeot, salted anchovies

| country = Korea

| region =

| national_cuisine =

| creator =

| year =

| mintime =

| maxtime =

| type = Jeotgal

| course =

| served =

| main_ingredient = Anchovies

| minor_ingredient =

| variations =

| serving_size = 100 g

| calories =

| protein =

| fat =

| carbohydrate =

| glycemic_index =

| similar_dish =

| other =

}}

{{Infobox Korean name

| title = Korean name

| hangul = 멸치젓

| rr = myeolchi-jeot

| mr = myŏlch'i-jŏt

| koreanipa = {{IPA|ko|mjʌl.tɕʰi.dʑʌt̚|}}

}}

Myeolchi-jeot ({{Korean|hangul=멸치젓|labels=no}}) or salted anchovies is a variety of jeotgal (salted seafood), made by salting and fermenting anchovies.{{Cite web|url=http://www.korean.go.kr/common/download.do?file_path=notice&c_file_name=140730_%ED%95%9C%EC%8B%9D%EB%AA%85_%EB%A1%9C%EB%A7%88%EC%9E%90_%ED%91%9C%EA%B8%B0_%EB%B0%8F_%ED%91%9C%EC%A4%80_%EB%B2%88%EC%97%AD_%ED%99%95%EC%A0%95%EC%95%88_.pdf&o_file_name=140730_%ED%95%9C%EC%8B%9D%EB%AA%85_%EB%A1%9C%EB%A7%88%EC%9E%90_%ED%91%9C%EA%B8%B0_%EB%B0%8F_%ED%91%9C%EC%A4%80_%EB%B2%88%EC%97%AD_%ED%99%95%EC%A0%95%EC%95%88_.pdf |script-title=ko:주요 한식명(200개) 로마자 표기 및 번역(영, 중, 일) 표준안|last=National Institute of Korean Language|date=30 July 2014|language=ko|format=PDF|access-date=22 February 2017|website=National Institute of Korean Language}}

{{cite press release |date=2014-05-02 |script-title=ko:주요 한식명 로마자 표기 및 표준 번역 확정안 공지 |url=http://www.korean.go.kr/front/board/boardStandardView.do?board_id=4&mn_id=17&b_seq=1465 |website=National Institute of Korean Language |language=ko}} Along with saeu-jeot (salted shrimps), it is one of the most commonly consumed jeotgal in Korean cuisine. In mainland Korea, myeolchi-jeot is primarily used to make kimchi,{{Cite web|url=http://www.doopedia.co.kr/doopedia/master/master.do?_method=view&MAS_IDX=101013000718390|title=Myeolchi-jeot|website=Doopedia|publisher=Doosan Corporation|language=ko|script-title=ko:멸치젓|access-date=24 June 2017}} while in Jeju Island, meljeot ({{lang|jje|멜젓}}; myeolchi-jeot in Jeju language) is also used as a dipping sauce.{{Cite web|url=http://www.doopedia.co.kr/doopedia/master/master.do?_method=view&MAS_IDX=160615001530468|title=Meljeot|website=Doopedia|publisher=Doosan Corporation|language=ko|script-title=ko:멜젓|access-date=24 June 2017}} The Chuja Islands, located between South Jeolla and Jeju, are famous for producing the highest quality myeolchi-jeot.{{Cite book|url=http://116.67.40.25/new_pdf/EM012918_01.pdf|title=Hanguk minsok jonghap josa bogoseo|last=Cultural Properties Administration, MCPI|publisher=Korea Herald|year=1984|isbn=9788928503254|editor-last=Folkloric Studies Division, CHRI|volume=15|location=Seoul|pages=197|language=ko|script-title=ko:한국민속종합조사보고서|trans-title=A General Survey Report of Korean Folklore|format=PDF|access-date=15 May 2008|archive-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404045834/http://116.67.40.25/new_pdf/EM012918_01.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Names and etymology

Myeolchi-jeot ({{lang|ko|멸치젓}}) is a compound of myeolchi ({{lang|ko|멸치}}), the Korean word for anchovy (Engraulis japonicus), and jeot ({{lang|ko|젓}}), the word meaning salted fermented seafood.{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=117059|title=myeolchi-jeot|website=Standard Korean Language Dictionary|publisher=National Institute of Korean Language|language=ko|script-title=ko:멸치젓|access-date=23 June 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=116140|title=myeolchi|website=Standard Korean Language Dictionary|publisher=National Institute of Korean Language|language=ko|script-title=ko:멸치|access-date=23 June 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=477343|title=jeot|website=Standard Korean Language Dictionary|publisher=National Institute of Korean Language|language=ko|script-title=ko:젓|access-date=23 June 2017}} Meljeot ({{lang|jje|멜젓}}) is also a compound, consisting of mel ({{lang|jje|멜}}), the Jeju name for anchovy, and jeot.{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=114000|title=mel|website=Standard Korean Language Dictionary|publisher=National Institute of Korean Language|language=ko|script-title=ko:멜|access-date=23 June 2017}} The Jeju word mel is cognate with the first syllable myeol of the Korean word myeolchi, whose second syllable -chi is a suffix attached to fish names.{{Cite web|url=http://www.korean.go.kr/nkview/onletter/20060901/02.html|title='가물치'와 '붕어'의 어원|last=홍|first=윤표|date=1 September 2006|website=National Institute of Korean Language|language=ko|access-date=4 June 2017}} Similar forms to meljeot also occur in mainland Korean dialects, including metjeot ({{lang|ko|멧젓}}) and mitjeot ({{lang|ko|밋젓}}) in Gyeongsang dialect.{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=115345|title=metjeot|website=Standard Korean Language Dictionary|publisher=National Institute of Korean Language|language=ko|script-title=ko:멧젓|access-date=23 June 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/search/View.jsp?idx=126909|title=mitjeot|website=Standard Korean Language Dictionary|publisher=National Institute of Korean Language|language=ko|script-title=ko:밋젓|access-date=23 June 2017}}

Preparation

The anchovies for Myeolchi-jeot are harvested along the southern coasts of the Korean Peninsula en masse. Myeolchi-jeot used in the process called gimjang are prepared with mature anchovies known as osari-myeolchi (flood tide anchovies), which are harvested in July and August. On Jeju Island, bigger anchovies harvested in the spring along the coasts of Seogwipo are made into meljeot.

Cleaned fresh anchovies are drained on sokuri (bamboo baskets), and salted with coarse salt weighing 15‒20% of the anchovies.{{cite web|url=http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=G070304|title=The Ingredients for Kimchi and Their Characteristics|website=Korea.net|publisher=Korean Overseas Information Service|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328070045/http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=G070304 |archive-date=28 March 2008|access-date=6 May 2008}} In an onggi (earthenware jar), the anchovies and salt are put in layers, with the uppermost layer being a thick layer of salt, to prevent the anchovies from coming in contact with the air. The jar is sealed, and the salted anchovies are then allowed to ferment at {{Convert|15-20|C}} for two to three months in onggi (earthenware jars). Once the myeolchi-jeot has aged another couple of months, it becomes myeolchi-jeot-guk (anchovy extract).

Culinary use

File:Meljeot.jpg (pork belly)]]The liquid extract, made after around six months of fermentation of myeolchi-jeot, is filtered and boiled to be used in kimchi. Alternatively, two parts myeolchi-jeot can be mixed with one part water, boiled over high heat, filtered, let set, and the upper, clear layer is used in kimchi. The boiled and filtered myeolchi-jeot liquid may also used to flavor seaweed dishes.{{Cite web|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Index?contents_id=E0018192|title=Myeolchi-jeot|last=서|first=혜경|website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture|publisher=Academy of Korean Studies|language=ko|script-title=ko:멸치젓|access-date=24 June 2017}} Myeolchi-jeot made with boned anchovies are seasoned and eaten as banchan (side dish).

In Geomun Island, where it is difficult to grow soybeans, the remaining solids and cloudy lower layer of liquid after extracting the clear, upper liquid (anchovy extract) from myeolchi-jeot is used to make myeoljang (anchovy paste).

In Jeju Island, meljeot is used as dipping sauce for grilled pork. In summer, meljeot is used in blanched soybean leaf ssam (wrap), and in winter, napa cabbage leaves are dipped in meljeot. Meljeot may also be eaten as banchan (side dish), either as is or seasoned with garlic and chili peppers.

Gallery

File:Myeolchi-aekjeot.jpg|Myeolchi-aekjeot

References

Category:Anchovy dishes

Category:Jeotgal