 Local Hangzhounese regard the winter solstice (Dongzhi) as more important than Chinese New Year. Cleanliness is a very important virtue to the Chinese. Every year, without fail, on the day before Dongzhi, a thorough clean-up is usually given inside and outside the house.
For breakfast, Hangzhounese eat niangao while offering to their own ancestors, sacrifices such as silver carp and a bamboo basket of rice covered with niangao, tangerines, etc. all decorated with fan-shaped flowers embroidered with red and green wires. It looks delightful.
On the Winter Solstice, local people exchange customary and heartfelt good wishes, just as they do during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). The grand occasion of Winter Solstice can be reflected by the local saying:"The Winter Sacrifice is more gracious than the New Year's Sacrifice."
For those who like a challenge you need to begin by mixing two cups of flour with one cup of water. The mixture can neither be too wet nor too dry or the fillings will not set. After the water and flour are well mixed you then by hand roll the paste into a long strip and divide into many parts, then taking a rolling pin you roll each small part into one thin dough piece. As making dumplings is a family tradition taking it in turns to fill the perfectly formed dough skins makes it quicker and even more fun. Once the dumplings have been filled, you then gently knead them into shape and seal them tight gently placing them in boiling water. Once they rise up to the water’s surface then it’s time to get them out and have the big Spring Festival feast all the family has been waiting for.
(责任编辑：editor) |