The rivers in the south of the Yangtze River are longitudinal and horizontal, and the fish and aquatic products are abundant, among which the crucian carp is delicate and tender, plump and fat, and is deeply loved by people. Li Shizhen said: "(Crucian carp) has a lot of thick meat in the winter moon, and its taste is particularly beautiful. "It can be seen that winter is the best time to eat crucian carp.
Crucian carp, referred to as crucian carp, also known as crucian carp melon seeds, carp, soil carp, etc., is a freshwater fish. It feeds on plankton, aquatic weeds, young leaves, etc., and is widely distributed in rivers, lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Crucian carp is the top product of fish, it has many kinds, mainly there are three kinds of crucian carp, silver crucian carp, white crucian carp, and because of the different growth waters, it can be divided into river crucian carp, lake crucian carp and so on. The Taihu Lake Basin in Suzhou has a superior geographical location and excellent water quality, and has always been rich in crucian carp.
There are many ways to eat crucian carp, such as steaming, braising it, frying and boiling soup, etc., and Suzhou people use braised and boiled soup the most common. In addition, the combination of crucian carp and green onions is amazing, and the flavor of the shallots is so rich that it even surpasses the deliciousness of the fish, which makes people appetize. Another example is crucian carp tofu soup, the color is milky white, the soup is delicious, the boiled crucian carp is attached to the tenderness of the tofu, and the tofu also absorbs the freshness of the crucian carp, the two complement each other, and the food is evocative for a long time.
Crucian carp has high medicinal value. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that crucian carp is sweet and warm, sweet can enter the spleen, and warm can warm the stomach. Wang Ang of the Qing Dynasty said in the "Preparation of Materia Medica": "All fish belong to fire, and lone carp belongs to soil." Soil can make water, so it has the function of harmonizing with the stomach, solid intestines, and water. "Compendium of Materia Medica" Yiyun: "Crucian carp likes mud and does not eat sundries, so it can replenish the stomach." Therefore, crucian carp has the effect of invigorating qi and strengthening the spleen, warming and appetizing, especially suitable for people with spleen and stomach deficiency. In addition, crucian carp also has the effect of invigorating blood and reducing swelling and breastfeeding, which is helpful for women with postpartum edema and milk blockage.
Crucian carp has a high nutritional value. Studies have shown that crucian carp is rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin and other trace elements and vitamins, which can promote blood circulation and improve vascular endothelial function.
Although crucian carp is delicious, there are also people who are not suitable for eating. If there is a serious ** disease or in the acute stage of bronchial asthma, it should be eaten with caution, patients with gout, liver and kidney diseases and bleeding disorders should also eat less or no food, and those who are allergic to fish should not eat.
*"China Traditional Chinese Medicine News" February 2, 2024 7th edition Author: Wu Liqiang, Taicang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province).