Zongzi

Zongzi are steamed or boiled parcels of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves (northern China) or reed leaves (southern China), tied with string into pyramid or pillow shapes. They are eaten year-round but are most strongly associated with the Dragon Boat Festival (Duānwǔ Jié), the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, commemorating the poet Qu Yuan. Two broad traditions exist: northern zongzi tend to be sweet, filled with red bean paste, candied dates or plain glutinous rice; southern zongzi are more often savoury, stuffed with braised pork belly, salted duck egg yolk, dried shrimp, mushroom and soy-marinated glutinous rice. The wrapping technique varies by region — Cantonese zongzi are often large and cylindrical, while Jiangnan versions are smaller triangular pyramids. They require several hours of boiling or steaming and are made in large batches for gifting and sharing.