As the Lunar New Year approaches, locally inspired festive delicacies take center stage as the most beloved traditional treats among citizens. With just a dozen days left until the Spring Festival, many households in the city are firing up their woks to craft seasonally appropriate traditional delights. This practice is not only a way to share the joy of the New Year but also a cultural legacy intertwined with familial bonds.

Fried Glutinous Rice Balls: Abundant Wealth

Fried Glutinous Rice Balls, traditionally crafted during the twenty-ninth and thirtieth days of the lunar calendar, remain fresh and crispy even days after the Lunar New Year's Day.

The ongoing creation of Fried Glutinous Rice Balls (Gaoming)

Crafting the dough for fried glutinous rice balls involves a blend of glutinous rice flour and warm water. It requires a delicate touch during kneading, ensuring a thorough fusion of flour and water through repeated kneading. Once the dough is prepared, it is placed in a hot oil pot along with a proportional mix of white sugar and brown sugar.

The finished raw form of the Fried Glutinous Rice Balls (Gaoming)

After shaping the dough, it is filled with a variety of ingredients based on personal preference. Once filled, another piece of dough is placed on top. When the iron pot with heated oil is ready, the Fried Glutinous Rice Balls are fried, with attention paid to flipping them on both sides.

The finished raw form of the Fried Glutinous Rice Balls (Shunde Jiujiang)

New year goods can be easily bought but the enduring value of traditional handmade flavors is worthy of being passed down through generations.

Fried Glutinous Rice Balls (Shunde Jiujiang)

In the past, during New Year visits to relatives, people would grab a handful of Oil Dumplings and Fried Glutinous Rice Balls, sharing the delicious treats as a gesture of celebration.

Reporter | Serena

Revisor | Lynn, Eleanor

Photo | Foshan News and Media Center