Final answer:
Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables, particularly Napa cabbage and Korean radishes, seasoned with chili pepper, garlic, ginger, and scallions, and is an important part of Korean culture and cuisine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Korean side dish made of salted, fermented vegetables is called kimchi. This traditional dish varies in preparation, often including vegetables like Napa cabbage and Korean radishes, along with a variety of seasonings including chili pepper, garlic, ginger, and scallions. The process of fermentation is facilitated by lactic acid bacteria, which results in its distinctive sour flavor. Kimchi is a significant and historic part of Korean cuisine, intertwined deeply with the cultural and historical identity of Korea.
Fermented food products like kimchi have been a staple in Korean households for centuries, and the art of making kimchi has been passed down through generations. In fact, kimchi is so fundamental to the Korean way of life that individual recipes and methods can vary greatly from region to region and family to family, commonly served with meals both as a side dish and an ingredient in various other dishes.