As the wax moon approaches, all parts of China begin to usher in the annual traditional festival of Xiao Nian. Due to the vast size of China and the significant differences in customs between the north and the south, the way in which the New Year is celebrated varies greatly from place to place. In the south, the celebration of the New Year is indispensable with a table of sumptuous food, symbolizing reunion and sweetness. Here are some representative varieties of traditional Southern Xiaonian cuisine.
1.Tangyuan: Symbolizes reunion
In the southern region, especially in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and other provinces, eating rice balls on Chinese New Year's Eve has become a traditional custom. Tangyuan means "sweet and sweet, reunion", and is a symbol of family happiness and reunion in the new year. There are many types of glutinous rice balls, including sweet and savory flavors. The fillings of sweet rice balls include sesame seeds, bean paste, yellow peach, strawberry, orange and other fruit flavors; The fillings of savory glutinous rice balls include fresh meat, corn, radish, etc., to meet the needs of different tastes.
2.Confectionery pastry: Sweet New Year's wishes
In addition to the dumplings, southern families also prepare a variety of sweets and pastries to express their best wishes for a sweet life in the new year. Among them, popcorn candy is a traditional small year delicacy in the Jiangxi region, and people use maltose and popcorn to make this unique candy. This is not only a delicious enjoyment, but also a good wish for the New Year.
3.Rice crackers: The beauty of reunion melts into the taste buds
Guangxi and other places have a unique Xiaonian food custom, that is, making rice crackers. This rice cake is made of glutinous rice flour as the main ingredient, with peanuts, sesame seeds and sugar, and then stirred, pressed into a round shape and then steamed. The rounded shape of the rice cracker symbolizes "reunion and reunion" and conveys the beautiful expectation of family reunion.
4.Sugar cane and water chestnut: Symbolizes good luck and rising fortune
In Fujian, especially in Fuzhou, the celebration of the New Year is not only reflected in the joy of the mouth, but also in the sacrificial ceremony. The customs of the old Fuzhou area include sacrificing to the stove with sugarcane and water chestnut, implying that the sugarcane is the ladder for the king of the stove to ascend to the sky, "rising every day"; And water chestnut is because of the homonym meaning "good luck from the beginning to the end".
The culinary traditions of the Southern Year are rich and colorful, from traditional rice balls and sweets and pastries to local specialties of rice crackers, sugar cane and water chestnuts, each food carries the hope of family reunion and happiness. In this traditional festival, people welcome the arrival of the new year together through the sharing of food, and pray for family harmony and sweet life. These traditional New Year's delicacies are not only a pleasure for the taste buds, but also a continuation of cultural heritage and human touch.