Taizhou eats "winter solstice balls" during the winter solstice.

Although the customs and sentiments of various parts of our country are different, they are generally the same. The most distinctive thing about Taizhou people celebrating the Winter Solstice Festival is eating "Winter Solstice Balls", which every household must do on this day. "Every household is pounding rice and making rice balls, it must be the Winter Solstice Festival tomorrow." There are two kinds of "Winter Solstice Balls" eaten by Taizhou people, sweet and salty.

The main raw material of "Winter Solstice Circle" is rice flour. The method is to first mix the rice flour with warm boiling water, and then use your hands to shape it into hollow glutinous rice balls the size of a table tennis match. After the glutinous rice balls are cooked, roll them with a layer of soybean flour and brown sugar powder to create a fragrant and waxy Winter Solstice. The circle is done. In some areas, the sweet "winter solstice round" is called "leiyuan", "hard leiyuan" (pronounced in native dialect), and "fancaoyuan".

When making the Winter Solstice circle, we often pinch some small animals at the request of children, such as kittens, puppies, rabbits, tigers, etc. The children are very happy every time. Before eating the Winter Solstice circle, a Winter Solstice circle must be glued to the door, window, table, cabinet, bed and lamp behind each one, which is called "Consumption Shan". You have to wait until it is "sent to the stove" before you can bake it.

Taizhou’s specialties

1. Linhai hairy crabs

Taizhou’s Linhai area is famous for its rich freshwater resources. Linhai hairy crabs are one of the local specialties. . This kind of crab meat is tender, juicy and delicious, and is known as the king of crabs. Linhai hairy crabs not only have a delicious taste, but also have high nutritional value, making them one of the favorite delicacies of Taizhou people.

2. Wenling duck eggs

Wenling duck eggs are one of Taizhou’s traditional specialties. They are made of high-quality duck eggs through special processing. Wenling duck egg skin is thin and crispy, and the duck egg yolk inside is delicious and has a unique taste. Wenling duck eggs can not only be eaten directly, but can also be used to make various pastries and candies. They are one of Taizhou's unique delicacies.

3. Luqiao River Eel

Taizhou Luqiao area is famous for its high-quality river eel resources. Luqiao River Eel is one of Taizhou’s specialties. This kind of river eel has fresh and tender meat, delicate taste, plump and elastic meat. Luqiao river eel can be prepared in various ways such as grilling, stewing, and stir-frying. Each way of eating it exudes a unique aroma and flavor.

Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Winter Solstice Circle