Vegetable-Wrapped Rice

Vegetable-Wrapped Rice

　　Vegetable-Wrapped Rice is a specialty snack from Anding. For over a hundred years, the people of Anding’s Dingcheng District have loved this dish. Families gather to eat it together, which symbolizes “unity and keeping the family’s wealth from slipping away.” Vegetable-Wrapped Rice is made by mixing meat, vegetables, and rice, then wrapping the mixture in a leaf and eating it with your hands. This style of dining is especially popular among locals in Dingcheng and nearby villages in Ding’an County. It has a rather raw, rustic appeal, but the taste is distinctive and carries special symbolism.

　　Vegetable-Wrapped Rice is a way of eating where meat, vegetables, and rice are mixed and wrapped in a leaf, then eaten by hand. This method has a somewhat wild, unprocessed charm, but the taste is unique and it also holds special meaning. The dish has a long history and is very popular among residents of Dingcheng and nearby villages in Ding’an County. According to the *Ding’an Local Chronicles* by Qing Dynasty scholar Mo Jiatong, “On the third day of the Lunar New Year, people offer sacrifices to ward off the ‘Red Mouth’ (a day believed to bring quarrels) and eat Vegetable-Wrapped Rice.” This shows that the tradition of eating Vegetable-Wrapped Rice in Dingcheng has existed for at least a century. In ancient times, on the third day of the New Year—known as the “Red Mouth Day”—locals avoided visiting others or exchanging New Year greetings. Instead, families would gather to eat Vegetable-Wrapped Rice together, symbolizing the wish to keep their household wealth intact.

　　　Making Hainan-style Vegetable-Wrapped Rice requires quite a bit of effort. First, cook dry rice—make sure it's not too mushy, and preferably firm enough to separate easily once cooled. Next, wash and drain the leafy greens used for wrapping. Then prepare some aromatic vegetables such as garlic, celery, Chinese chives, leeks, as well as green beans, chili peppers, and pickled vegetables. For the meat, use lean pork, chicken, or Chinese sausage. Once you’ve prepared these three main ingredients, first stir-fry the vegetables and meat. Then, using garlic, shrimp, and dried squid, stir-fry the rice in the same pan. Finally, mix the vegetables and meat into the rice until well combined.

　　There’s no need to worry about table manners when eating Vegetable-Wrapped Rice. You can also add your favorite sauces—like shrimp paste, chili sauce, or a mixed condiment—onto the leaf before spooning the hot rice into it. Then, simply hold the wrap with both hands, take a big bite, and enjoy. Though your hands may get greasy and messy, and your mouth full of rice grains, it might not be the most elegant sight—but it’s definitely a flavorful experience.

　　Nowadays, Vegetable-Wrapped Rice isn’t just loved by the people of Dingcheng. Many visitors have also come to enjoy this style of eating. Some restaurant owners in Dingcheng have caught on to this trend and started offering Vegetable-Wrapped Rice on their menus—and their businesses are thriving as a result.