LingShui Zongzi

LingShui Zongzi

　　Zongzi in LingShui is a unique type of sticky rice snack. Since ancient times, farmers in LingShui have grown glutinous rice primarily to make zongzi, kueh ah, sweet kueh, and "rice paper" during festivals and holidays. Before every Lunar New Year, before the Lantern Festival, and on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, known as the “Dragon Boat Festival,” every household makes zongzi to “untie knots” as a symbol of good fortune. The making of zongzi is relatively simple, mainly involving mixing glutinous rice with spices, stuffing it with several pieces of pork, shrimp, dried squid, salted egg, and other ingredients, wrapping it in leaf wrappers from deep in the mountains, and tying it securely with string. They come in various sizes. Each zongzi requires about 100 to 250 grams of glutinous rice. They are known for being oily, smooth, and fragrant. After boiling them in a pot, they are often further dried in the pot to allow for several days of storage without going moldy. When eating, the leaf wrapper is removed and the zongzi is placed in a bowl. Depending on personal taste, a bit of brown sugar can be added to enhance the sweetness. On regular days, some locals also make and sell them, usually priced at around 1–2 yuan each, and they are commonly eaten for breakfast.