Changzhou people eat scallions and tofu during the Winter Solstice.

Scallion tofu is a common dish on the dining table of Changzhou people in winter. Around the winter solstice, when shallots are on the market in large quantities, it is also the most nutritious time. Tofu is a daily side dish for people in Changzhou. It is cheap and affordable. When cooked together, it becomes a delicacy enjoyed in winter. What's more, the words "fu" and "fu" in Changzhou dialect are homophonic.

"If you want to be rich, eat scallions and tofu the night before the winter solstice." The word "Du" has more meaning than burning or boiling. It is a folk proverb that caters to the people's inner pursuit of a wealthy life.

It is also said to be a warning dish that continues the family tradition of ancient Changzhou officials. Shallots are green and tofu is white. One green and two white are the goals pursued by Changzhou officials. Changzhou folk now There is also a proverb "eat tofu often and never make mistakes", which has the same purpose.

Changzhou people attach great importance to the Winter Solstice:

Throughout the ages, Changzhou people have also attached great importance to the "Winter Solstice". The winter solstice is as big as the new year is a common mantra. Changzhou people also call the day before the Winter Solstice "Winter Solstice overnight", which is like "New Year's Eve" to the extent of "Winter Solstice overnight".

It’s that night, and every household wants to get together and eat “winter solstice wine.” Changzhou people, regardless of wealth or poverty, “must have the dish of scallions and tofu on the night before the winter solstice.” A folk proverb goes: "If you want to be rich, eat a piece of scallions and tofu the night before the winter solstice." This is the night for people in urban and rural areas. Every household eats. The folk song goes: "Eat it all night, eat it all night."

Revealing the different situations of rich and poor families celebrating the Winter Solstice in the old days, Changzhou folk songs can be compared with the poem "Winter Solstice" written by Du Fu, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty. The word "sorrow" sings about the suffering of the poor people on the winter solstice, while Changzhou folk songs use the word "freeze" to express the sadness of the poor people on the night of the "winter solstice".