Happy 中秋節!
Today is Moon Festival, the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar. This is an important holiday that once marked the end of the harvest season, but now is a time for families to come together, admire the brightest moon of the year, eat pomelos and wear the peels like little hats (really), barbecue outside and, of course, eat mooncakes!
Asia’s answer to fruitcake, these little calorie bombs are ubiquitous this time of year. Gifted and re-gifted, they’re rich, dense cakes with elaborate designs stamped into the delicate crust. Serve with hot tea.
Things that can be found inside a mooncake:
- lotus-seed paste
- dates
- pineapple
- red bean paste
- taro paste
- nuts
- custard
- ham
- chicken
- duck
- mushrooms
- wisteria blossom
- ice cream
- chocolate
- salted duck egg yolks
- hidden attack instructions for 14th-century warriors to otherthrow Mongolian invaders
