Zongzi

During DuanwuFestival, glutinousrice pudding called zong zi riceofferings Qu.Ingredients beans,lotus seeds（莲子）, chestnuts（栗子）, pork fat goldenyolk saltedduck egg oftenadded glutinousrice. bambooleaves, bound saltwater hours.Many traditional Chinese foods honoreither divinepersons history.

Zong Zi glutinousrice dumpling wrapped reedleaves honorQu Yuan (340-278 BC.), pioneerpoet ancientChina. Qu Yuan famouspoet who alsoconcerned about hisgovernment. Unfortunately his stature aroused king,who banished him remotearea. poetdespaired itspolicies. When state'scapital enemies,he committed suicide drowninghimself MiluoRiver May5th according Chineselunar calendar). Chinesepeople felt lossdeeply, muchbeloved poet. Local folk searched river,meanwhile dropping dumplings glutinousrice wrapped reedleaves fishesfrom attacking Qu Yuan's body. Since hasbeen customary enjoyZong Zi dumplings patrioticpoet. festivalcalled DuanWu DragonBoat Festival.

Youever visit China during DragonBoat Festival, you can't miss nationwidecustom enjoyingZong Zi. You faintscent leavesimprinted stillremember making enjoyingZong Zi child.Along mybrothers hoveredaround stove,begging taste,unable waituntil werecooked. We were very eager since madeonly once May5th. quitedifferent. ChineseZong Zi onlymade DuanWu Festival. anytime localareas have developed ownstyles mainingredient ZongZi glutinousrice. nextmost important ingredient reedleaves which form makeZong Zi distinct from other types Chinesedumplings. fillingoften contains either dates sweetenedred bean paste. oncehad myfamily. likethem much more than mybrother doesn't. He says meatones leadingplace JiaXing, ancienttown Zhejiangprovince.

Many different types ZongZi madehere. WuFang Zhai, monopolisticfood processor, you'll find all ingredientsyou need: meat,sweetened bean paste chestnuts,lotus seeds, dates, quitepossible makeChinese Zong Zi home;both maybealso greatpoet, Qu Yuan. year2006 DragonBoat Festival happens May31st, according solarcalendar. You'd better prepare fish.

Here ZongZi: (makes ten dumplings) 50sheets reedleaves Glutinousrice Chinesedates (250 grams) Directions: 1.Soak dates12 hours moretill soakedthoroughly. 2.Wash leaves.3.A chopping board layingout leaves.4.Fold leavesflat sheet.5.Hold sheet,fold funneltill both ends laidover each other onedirection. 6.Use about 1/10 kg. eachdumpling. datesmust riceso won'tlose too much syrup cooking.7.Fold leavesup openside bandmade twistedleaves. Make sure tiedneither too tight nor too loose. helpsmake sure wellcooked. 8.Put pot,cover makesure keptstill while being boiled. 9.Cooking time: 40 minutes pressurecooker; ordinarypot.