Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk

Name: Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk
Ingredients: For the salted egg yolks:; 1 cup sea salt; 4 cups water; 2 teaspoons Szechuan peppercorns (optional); 1 star anise (optional); 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine); 12 eggs; For the fried pumpkin:; 250 grams sugar pumpkin, thinly sliced; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 egg, lightly beaten; 6 tablespoons cornstarch; 4 tablespoons neutral oil, plus more for frying; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1 Thai bird's eye chile, minced; 2 sprigs curry leaves (about 10); 5 salted egg yolks (from above), mashed with a fork