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Specially-molded and tastes a bit like mochi.....It brings you the blessings from the deities and signifies the stableness and completeness for your whole life.
The Origin of Turtle-shaped Rice Cake
Carrying the meaning of reunion, longevity, and good luck
Turtle-shaped rice cakes usually come in various types of flavor. Among all, red bean and peanut are the most commonly seen.
In ancient times, since turtles symbolize longevity and good luck, they used to serve as living tributes in sacrificial ceremonies for the purpose of praying for long lives. However, with the decrease in the number of long-lived turtles, people have replaced real ones with turtle-shaped rice cakes. Red represents auspiciousness, and round shape stands for reunion along with harmony.
Nowadays, turtle-shaped rice cakes are actually applied to a variety of occasions. For instance, people often bring turtle-shaped rice cakes to the temples when God helps them fulfill their wishes as gratitude and repayment; others include all sorts of festive occasions such as weddings, baby’s full-month celebration, birthdays, and coming-of-age traditions.
One of the oldest and the most authentic pastry store in Hsinchuang
The color red and round shape both embody luck, auspiciousness, and harmony.
Here is the recipe!
Try to make one by yourself!
First, rinse some rice and soak it in the water for three to four hours.
Then, ground it into rice paste, pour it into a sealed bag, and squeeze the water out.
Add red food coloring to the rice paste. Food coloring could be substituted by the rind of dragon fruits or red yeast powder if there is any concern about it.
After sufficient rubbing and rolling, divide the rice paste into a few palm-sized pieces.
Add some fillings inside, which are usually peanut, red bean, and lotus nut paste.
Put it into a turtle-shaped mold and press it until the entire rice paste fills up the mold. Generally speaking, Chinese characters like “福,” “祿,” “壽” would be carved on the mold, symbolizing blessing and prosperity.
Eventually, smear some edible oil all over the back of the food paste, place it on a banana leaf, put it into a food steamer and wait until it is done.
Christine Cheng & Sharmane Lin
Instructor: Gretchen Lee
Instructor: Gretchen Lee
Department of English Language and Literature
Fu Jen Catholic University
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