Shaoxing ling

Shaoxing is rich in a kind of four-cornered ling, which is called "Tuobei White". It is famous for its thick meat, tender, juicy, sweet and crisp. It is known as the six major ling species in Zhejiang with Jiaxing Nanhuling, Xing Wu (now Huzhou) Liangjiao Ling, Hangzhou Shuihongling, Tangqi Qingling and Gudong obtuse-angled Ling. Tuobei White can be picked at the end of August, while Laoling can be picked in the middle and next month of September, and can be picked all the way to first frost. Water chestnut, also known as water chestnut in ancient times, has horns, so it is commonly called water chestnut, which belongs to panicum miliaceum. Its growth is very strong, its branches are very lush, and it thrives underwater. Because of its long sharp horns, it is protected from being swallowed by fish. A rhomboid usually has 20 to 30 rhomboids, each rhomboid has 60 to 80 leaves, and the leaves float on the water surface. At the turn of summer and autumn, small white flowers bloom, and each rhomboid can bear 5 to 8 rhomboids. In autumn, the mature water chestnut sinks to the bottom of the river, and takes root and sprouts in the second year, and leaves are exposed when it is full. Planting water chestnut has low cost, less labor and good income, which is a sideline for farmers in water towns to use natural resources of water. Shaoxing has a long history of planting ling. As early as the Tang Dynasty, planting ling in Yuezhou was very common. In the Tang Dynasty, the poet Zhu Qingyu said in a poem: "The breeze on the lake, the xiaolan is cool, and the ling boat is full of water." It depicts the rhombic scenery of Gujian Lake. Qing Dynasty's "Jiaqing Shanyin County Records" records: "Ling, the production of Mo Sheng in Shanyin, every August, Ling Zhou Huan Ji Jian Lake." Tender water chestnut is generally eaten as fruit, fresh and juicy, while old water chestnut plants are cooked and peeled, waxy and sweet as chestnuts. Raw food can relieve summer heat and quench thirst, while cooked food can strengthen the spleen and replenish qi. Ling can also be used as a dish. Ling Routun Tofu is a famous vegetarian dish in Shaoxing. Tender Ling Rou, boiled with water bamboo and edamame meat, is a seasonal delicacy. It can also be sliced and diced and fried with vegetarian dishes, which is fragrant and delicious. Cooked Ling Rou can also be mixed with sesame oil, soy sauce and a little old wine to become drunk Ling, which is the best accompaniment with wine and has a unique flavor. Water chestnut meat contains about 24% starch. Generally, 50 kilograms of old water chestnut can be made into about 4 kilograms of starch. Water chestnut powder is fine and smooth, which is the best starch. It is most suitable for cold drinks, ice cream and fine cakes. Trapa natans is rich in nutrients, including starch, protein, glucose, fat, vitamins, carotene, calcium, phosphorus, iron and other minerals, and its nutritional components can be compared with other hard fruits. Ling has also made great achievements in medicine. The ancient book "Qi Min Yao Shu" contains: "Ling can nourish the spirit, eliminate all diseases and benefit the essence." It is a good tonic. The book "Mu Cao in South Yunnan" points out that eating ling can cure the pain of waist and legs, numbness of the whole body and rheumatism. Long-term eating of water chestnut porridge for the elderly can tonify the spleen and stomach, strengthen the thigh and knees, strengthen the body and replenish qi.
Reprinted with attribution： https://cnlocality.com/(Chinese Specialty Products)