Pressed Ciba, a Tujia Snack for the Spring Festival

In Southern China, people have a long-held tradition of making Ciba (glutinous rice cakes) for the Spring Festival, and among them, the rice cakes of the Tujia Minorities are quite typical.As the Chinese Spring Festival approaches, locals in the western Hubei town of Enshi Tujia, as well as Miao Autonomous Prefecture, are hand making glutinous rice cakes, especially the “pressed glutinous rice cakes” made with specially-designed moulds.This traditional dim sum, with auspicious patterns and blessing lines on it, are intentionally prepared to welcome the upcoming festival.

Local “pressed glutinous rice cakes” are made from sticky rice, sorghum, and millet.The soaked grains are steamed in a rice steamer, kneaded into lumps, and later compressed into shapes and patterns.These roundshaped rice cakes can be deep-fried, baked, fried, or boiled, resembling a united family.These rice cakes are the traditional treats of local minorities, including the Tujias, Miaos, and Dongs, and are also well-known souvenirs for both tourists and bestsellers online.Besides the implied and symbolic value, their popularity can also be attributed to the refreshing rice fragrance, the chewy consistency, and the mild sweetness—they are not only meaningful, they are delicious!

1.Villagers gather together, crushing steamed sticky rice in a stone-made receptacle.

2.The crushed sticky rice is kneaded into lumps.

3.The sticky rice lumps are put into moulds.Pretty “pressed glutinous rice cakes” are freshly made.

4.Pressed glutinous rice cakes with auspicious patterns on them.

5.When cooked over charcoal, the glutinous rice cakes emit a strong fragrance.

(Translation: Zhang Chengyi)

1.村民们聚集在一起，将蒸熟的糯米放在石槽里捣碎。

2.将捣碎的糯米团成团。

印花糍粑香 土家年味来

文/徐敏 图/宋文

中国南方一直有着打糍粑、迎新春的习俗，而其中，当属土家族人民打出的糍粑最具代表性。春节渐近，地处湖北省西部山区的恩施土家族苗族自治州各地农民开始手工制作糍粑，并用特制的模具制作带有吉祥图案和祝福语言的印花糍粑，为过年准备传统美食。

3.将捣成泥状的糯米放入模具，漂亮的印花糍粑出炉。

4.带有吉祥图案的印花糍粑。

5.炭火简单烘烤后，糍粑香气扑鼻。

当地印花糍粑以糯米、高粱、小米等为原料，浸泡后放入木甑蒸熟，并在石槽里捣成泥状，揉捏成团，经压制而成。可炸、可烤、可煎、可煮的圆形印花糍粑象征春节团团圆圆，是当地土家族、苗族、侗族等少数民族群众过年必备的传统食品，并已成为游客追捧、网络热销的旅游食品。个中原因，除了糍粑的美好寓意之外，也与它自身的清新米香与清甜爽口有关。