Looking for a fun and engaging activity to do with your kids? How about making zongzi, the traditional Chinese rice dumplings of Dragon Boat Festival? This hands-on cooking project is not only a fantastic way to introduce your children to Chinese culture but also provides a delicious treat that the whole family can enjoy.
If you haven’t had one yet, zongzi are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. They come in various flavors, including sweet and savory, and are typically filled with ingredients like red bean paste, dates, pork, or mushrooms. The process of making zongzi is fun, easy, and educational, making it an excellent activity for kids.
What You’ll Need:
For the wrapping:
- Bamboo leaves (around this time of the year, they’re available at any local supermarket)
For the sticky rice:
- 2 cups glutinous rice (soaked in water for at least 3 hours or overnight)
For the fillings (choose sweet or savory):
- Sweet: Red bean paste, dates, or any sweet filling your kids enjoy
- Savory: Marinated pork, mushrooms, chestnuts, or salted egg yolk
Other items:
- Kitchen twine
- A large pot for boiling
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bamboo Leaves: Rinse the bamboo leaves thoroughly and soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes to make them pliable.
- Soak the Rice: While the leaves are soaking, have your kids help rinse the glutinous rice and let it soak in water for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Prepare the Fillings: If you’re using savory fillings like marinated pork, prepare these in advance. For sweet fillings, have your kids help measure and prepare ingredients like red bean paste or dates.
- Assemble the Zongzi:
-
- Take two bamboo leaves and overlap them to form a cone shape. This is a bit tricky, so it’s a good idea for an adult to demonstrate first.
- Fill the cone halfway with the soaked rice. Let the kids help with scooping the rice.
- Add a spoonful of filling into the center.
- Top with more rice until the cone is almost full.
- Fold the leaves over the rice to cover it completely, forming a tight bundle. Use kitchen twine to tie the zongzi securely. Kids can help with tying, making sure the bundles are nice and tight.
- Boil the Zongzi: Place the zongzi in a large pot of boiling water. Make sure they are fully submerged and boil for 2-3 hours, adding water as necessary. This is a step for adults, but kids can help check the water level and set a timer.
- Cool and Enjoy: Once they’re cooked, remove the zongzi from the water and let them cool slightly before unwrapping and enjoying. This is the fun part where kids can unwrap their creations and taste the delicious results of their hard work.
So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive into the delightful world of making zongzi with your kids. It’s a fun, educational, and tasty adventure that the whole family will love.
Images: Mina Yan, Siyu He
