原子小蜂蜂 2008-7-24 12:10
Summer Delicacy in Shanghai – Fresh Lotus Seeds
You might find recently in the street people are selling some green cone shaped pods. They look like a kind of plants and local Shanghainese eat them like a snack. Yes, you are right. It’s one of the summer delicacies in this area (Yangtze Delta) – Fresh Lotus Seeds.
Lotus seeds, you might have seen it dried and packed in the local supermarket. But the fresh ones are only available at this time (summer) in a year. So don’t miss it. Grab some from the street and nibble it!
[b]How to eat?[/b]
First take the seeds out of the pod. They are covered with green skin. Peel this skin by your fingers. Then you will get a peanut like beautiful white seed. If you halve it, you will find a small green sprout which is the heart of the lotus seed. The heart may taste a bit bitter. But according to Chinese Herbal therapists, that is the essence of lotus seeds which acts like a cooling agent to prevent you from being sick by the hot weather. So with or without the heart, totally up to you!
The taste of lotus seeds is also like the fresh peanut, a bit crunchy and sweet, full of texture and freshness. And more important, very healthy! You got to try it by yourself.
[b]How to cook?[/b]
Chinese always cook the lotus seeds as a dessert. Simply boil them with red beans or green beans till it is soften. Add sugar or honey to taste.
[[i] 本帖最后由 原子小蜂蜂 于 2008-7-24 06:08 编辑 [/i]]