Southern Divine Dish "Pan Cai" conquers the world! You don't even know its thousand-year-old legend?
In the land of China, there is such a proverb that is widely spread: "The first radish and the second vegetable are planted, and the melons and fruits are planted in the third fu." "It's like an old ballad about the intimate relationship between seasons and crops. Radish and cabbage, which are frequent guests at our table, have long been integrated into our daily life. But today, what I want to reveal to you is a southern dish that is similar to the radish god but has a more legendary background - Pan Cai.
Pancai, the name sounds very down-to-earth, as if it can conjure up a warm picture of a family sitting around a table and sharing food. It has a flat shape that resembles a huge plate, hence its name. But don't underestimate this "plate", it is a "foreign friend" with a thousand-year-old history who crossed the ocean from the Mediterranean Sea to our country - turnips.
Speaking of the introduction of turnips, we have to mention the glorious history of the ancient Silk Road. According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica", when Zhang Qian went to the Western Regions, he not only brought back sweat and blood, grape wine, but also this dish that we ignored. Its arrival has added a beautiful scenery to the dining table in the south of our country.
The yield of dish cabbage is not only amazing, with a yield of up to 7,000 catties per mu, but also very resistant to storage. In some parts of the south, it was even used as "life-saving food" and played a huge role during the famine years. Imagine, in that era when there was no appetite, the appearance of plate dishes was undoubtedly a generous gift from nature.
As for Pancai, there is also a legend closely related to Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. Legend has it that during the Northern Expedition, Zhuge Liang discovered this peculiar vegetable and ordered his soldiers to plant it in large quantities to replenish their military rations. Although this is just a legend, it is enough to witness the important position of plate dishes in people's hearts.
Not only that, Pancai has also been loved by generations of literati and artists. Han Yu, a great writer in the Tang Dynasty, once praised it with a poem: "Yellow and yellow turnip flowers, peach and plum things have retreated." "Comparing pancai with peach and plum shows how extraordinary it is.
When it comes to the similarities between pancai and radish, they actually belong to the cruciferous family. But don't confuse them. The meat is crispier and juicy, and the flavor is sweeter. Whether eaten raw, boiled in soup or stir-fried and pickled, it can show its unique deliciousness.
Although Pancai has a long history of cultivation in China, its popularity is not high. Especially in the northern region, many people have almost zero knowledge of plate cuisine. This may be due to the fact that the cultivation of pancho is mainly concentrated in the southern regions, which requires specific climatic and soil conditions. However, in recent years, with the increasing focus on healthy eating, the nutritional value of dish dishes has gradually been recognized.
Unexpectedly, this relatively unpopular vegetable in China has shined in the international market. Especially in developed countries such as Europe, America, Japan and South Korea, Pancai has won the favor of many consumers with its high nutrition and unique taste. Its export volume has been increasing year by year, and it has made a great contribution to China's agricultural foreign exchange earnings.
Nowadays, dish dishes are more than just a vegetable. It carries thousands of years of history and cultural heritage, and has become a bridge connecting ancient and modern China and foreign countries. Through Pancai, we can feel the wisdom and diligence of the ancients, and we can also let the world know more about Chinese traditions and customs.
Looking back at the whole article, it is not difficult for us to find the charm of plate dishes. It is both a delicacy on the table and a witness to history; It not only carries people's emotional memories, but also shows the unique charm of Chinese culture. So the question is: have you also been conquered by this southern dish? Come and leave your thoughts in the comment section!