1, jiaozi
"Eating jiaozi on the winter solstice will not freeze your ears" is an old saying among the people. Most places in the north have the custom of eating jiaozi on the winter solstice. This custom, on the one hand, commemorates Zhang Zhongjing's medical skills and merits, on the other hand, can really play a role in driving away cold and keeping warm. Therefore, jiaozi has become the most common and favorite food for people in the north.
2. Tangyuan
As the saying goes, "eat dumplings in the south and dumplings in the north". Eating dumplings on the winter solstice is especially popular in Jiangnan. "Round" means "reunion" and "perfection", and eating glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice symbolizes family harmony and auspiciousness. Glutinous rice is rounded with water, and sesame seeds and peanuts are used as stuffing. When boiled, it will roll down like pearls.
3. rice cakes
People in Hangzhou like to eat rice cakes on the winter solstice to celebrate. Eating rice cakes on the winter solstice is to get a "higher and higher every year".
The rice cake is usually steamed with glutinous rice or rice flour, which tastes sweet and soft. It is a very delicious food in itself, and there are many ways to eat it. In the winter solstice, Hangzhou people will make rice cakes with different flavors for three meals. Similarly, rice cake is a kind of food with high calories, so don't eat too much at a time.
4. Mutton soup
In Shandong, it is popular to drink mutton soup on the day of the winter solstice. According to legend, Liu Bang, the Emperor Gaozu, ate mutton cooked by Fan Kuai on the winter solstice, which made him feel particularly delicious and full of praise. Since then, people have been eating mutton and various nourishing foods on the winter solstice, which can not only resist the cold, but also nourish the body, so as to have a good omen for the coming year.
5. Wonton
On the winter solstice, Suzhou people also have the custom of eating wonton. Wonton is a kind of food with stuffing wrapped in dough, which is similar to jiaozi, but has some differences. It is usually suitable for cooking and eating with soup. It is made by wrapping some wonton skin with some meat pies, which is more elastic in taste and has a thin skin and more stuffing, so it is very popular among people.