Chinese Delicacies Turn To The Tiger
FROM FOR THE RECORD (Thursday, January 29, 1998): Correction Weather lore: According to popular legend, there will be six more weeks of winter if a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day. The folklore was incorrectly reported in Wednesday’s IN Food section.
Happy New Year, tiger.
No, we’re not trying to sound seductive. This happens to be the first day of the Chinese year 4696, the Year of the Tiger. (In China, years are named after a rotating 12-animal zodiac; we just finished the Year of the Ox, with the Year of the Rabbit next in line.)
Among the Chinese New Year food traditions:
Many families prepare a “harmony tray” (chuen hopp) offering nine snacks, all symbolizing wealth, good fortune and family unity. In Chinese, the word “nine” sounds like the word for “longevity.”
Honey or other sweets are smeared on the mouth of the Kitchen God’s image so no ghosts will go hungry. For the same reason, diners often leave food on their plates.
Fish represent abundance and good fortune, vegetables are a symbol of purification, and mixed dishes of meats, fish and vegetables suggest family unity.
Long, whole noodles are served to symbolize long life; cutting them brings bad luck.
There’s still plenty of time to sample some Chinese delicacies before the official New Year’s festival ends Feb. 12 - maybe something from this week’s cover story on the latest cookbook from Chinese-American culinary expert Ken Hom.
So go get ‘em, tiger.
Eating your Phil
Turning to American holidays, the next big one, of course, is Groundhog Day on Monday, when plucky Punxsutawney Phil surfaces in the Pennsylvania town of the same name to search for his shadow (which, should he see it, means an early spring is on the way).
And in honor of the occasion, the National Pork Producers Council rather perversely suggests celebrating with a dinner based on ground pork.
Plum generous
Here’s some conclusive evidence that eating prunes can help reduce the risk of breast cancer: A portion of the proceeds from every package of California prunes purchased between February and April will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information on the foundation or breast cancer, call toll-free to 1-800-462-9273.
Cow microchips
Drinking milk, meanwhile, can make kids smarter - at least when it comes to computers.
In the Cartons for Computers contest, high schools that increase their students’ milk consumption by at least 10 percent in March or April can compete for a grand prize of $10,000 in computer equipment, along with smaller awards.
For details, call 1-800-645-5946 or visit www.whymilk.com.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
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