Mile Winter Melon Preserves

Mile Winter Melon Preserves

　　Among the many varieties of pastries in Mile County, perhaps the most mouthwatering delicacy is the Hongxi Winter Melon Preserves. It is said that when Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty was fleeing to Yunnan, he stayed at the Chenghuang Temple in Hongxi. There, he was supported by an elderly night watchman from the temple. To show his gratitude, the emperor shared the imperial method of making preserves with the old watchman, who then passed it on to the public. Regardless of the truth of this tale...

In any case, the craft of making these preserves has flourished in Hongxi for hundreds of years, becoming more refined and delicious over time. Today, Hongxi Preserves are widely praised for their excellent color, aroma, and taste, enjoying fame both within and beyond the province. Together with the area’s famous salted noodle specialty, they are hailed as the two ultimate culinary delights of Hongxi. It is understood that the production method is simple yet highly technical. First, the winter melon is peeled, washed, and cut into palm-sized blocks about 1 cm thick. These are then soaked in limewater until they turn from soft to hard, and then from hard to crisp. After being drained, the pieces are rinsed in clean water until all traces of lime are gone, then drained again and left to dry. They are next boiled in a pot of boiling water mixed with white sugar. After several hours, they are removed, cooled, and then placed in a syrup with a sugar-to-melon ratio of 10:8. Once heated, they are taken out and coated with white sugar. High-quality Hongxi Winter Melon Preserves boast a golden-yellow hue, a honey-like sweetness, and a refreshing, smooth, and translucent texture.