Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, also called the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month according to the Chinese calendar. For thousands of years, the festival has been marked by eating zong zi and racing dragon boats.
In my hometown, where there is such a small and narrow river that can not float many boats at the same time , I can only learn about dragon boat rowing on TV for as long as I can remember.
Last weekend, we had a short vacation and I seized the chance to go home.
"You are coming back on this weekend? " My mom who had a long time not to see me face to face asked me excitedly .
"I want to eat some zongzi made by you"
"What stuffing ？ soybean or pork? Or …" She paused, as if in thought. I could image she laid a hand on her head. Not hearing my answer,she continued to speak，"What materials do I need to prepare? Zongye and glutinous rice… "
In the beginning, I prepared not to tell my mom in advance . But from the perspective of my mother, the news that her daughter were going to return home would cheer her up from her boring and exhuasting work.
How time flies! Three-day vacation passed,during which I just stayed at home because of continuous raining. That seemed boring but actually I immersed myself in making zongzi. Firstly, we gathered glutinous rice, bamboo leaves, fillings like meat and beans. Then we soaked the leaves in water to soften.What's more, placed a leaf on a flat surface, add rice and filling, then folded into a triangular or rectangular shape.Next, secure the zongzi with kitchen twine or string. Finally, we cooked them thoroughly.
For me, the Dragon Boat Festival is a time for families to gather and enjoy traditional activities like making and eating zongzi . This shared experience strengthens family ties and creates lasting memories.