湯圓Glutinous Rice Balls

Today is winter solstice or 冬至(pounced: Dongzhi), meaning the arrival of winter. Normally in Taiwan, family would get together and enjoy 湯圓(pronounced: tang yuan), glutinous rice balls together. Tang yuan are usually in two sizes: normal, slightly smaller than a plum comes in a variety of flavors. Sesame and peanuts are popular traditional flavors. The mini version, smaller than a grape, is without filling. I love the mini chewy ball even more than the flavored one. Last year when I visited home, I enjoyed 湯圓 with parents.

This year due to Covid, I won’t go home, neither go to a Chinese grocery store so I don’t have 湯圓 yet I came up an alternative…

I used Gnocchi , an Italian pasta made of potato, flour, and egg. It’s chewy and almost like a ball (oval). I cooked it in an Indian sauce with chick pea, corn, and spinach. The bowl might make “traditionalist” shake heads but it’s delicious to me, warm, comfy, chewy, flavorful, and nutritious. I enjoyed my tang yuan and called home to send my best wish. 冬至吃湯圓心團圓(Eat tang yuan and hearts reunion in Dongzhi).