Youguan Oats Noodles

Youguan Oats Noodles

　　The southern areas of Nanbaozi and Lao Ying in the eastern mountainous region of Pianguan County are rich in oat production. Oats processed into flour are known as oats noodles (Youguan Oats Noodles), a famous local dish. Making these noodles involves a "three-cooked" process: first, the oats are roasted and then ground into flour—that’s the first cooking; second, the oats flour is mixed with boiling water—that’s the second cooking; third, the dough is shaped into small, cat-ear-sized nests and steamed in a pot—that’s the third cooking. Once steamed, they can be served with vegetable or mutton soup. They are aromatic, delicious, highly nutritious, filling, and good for health—people simply can’t get enough of them. A local saying goes, “Oats noodles and potatoes are the country folk’s finest meal.” Pianguan Oats Noodles are also exported to Xinzhou, Taiyuan, Beijing, and other regions.

　　Oats noodles are highly nutritious, rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, and riboflavin. To make oats nests (oats noodles in nest form), the oats flour is mixed with an equal amount of boiling or cold water. Using the palm of your hand, you press out a piece on a smooth board, then use your index finger to roll it into a tube shape resembling ‘cat ears’. Each piece is about an inch long, as thin as a leaf, and light yellow in color. Once made, they are placed standing upright in the steamer basket, resembling a honeycomb. When cooked, they emit a mouthwatering aroma. Served with mutton or mushroom soup, they are so enticing that they stimulate the appetite. Their rich flavor lingers on the palate, making them truly unforgettable.

　　Source: Office of the People's Government of Pianguan County