by eating china
This is our modest New Year's Eve dinner for three people. From left, clockwise: Steamed Fish, Guangdong-style Preserved Sausages with Leeks, Ginseng Chicken, Boiled Dumplings, Stir Fried Mustard Cabbage. The New Year dishes are imbued with great meaning. Here is what I found out:
Whole Steamed Fish
Fish is a metaphor for abundance. Half the fish is eaten on New Year's Eve, the other half is eaten the next day – symbolizing that there is a surplus to carry through from the old year to the new year.
Guangdong-style Sausages with Leeks
In past times, the most commonly eaten meat was preserved. Eating preserved meat such as these sausages relates to self-sufficiency.
Ginseng Chicken
A whole chicken including head and feet, symbolizes prosperity, particularly at work, and family unity.
Boiled Dumplings
Jiaozi supposedly reminds people of ancient coins. On New Year's Eve these dumplings must be eaten whole, in one bite, lest your future good fortune be left in tatters.
Stir Fried Mustard Cabbage
Mustard cabbage is one of the great vegetable staples in Taiwan. Another name for it is longevity vegetable.
Comments