Steamed Herb Dumplings (草仔粿)
This snack-ish dumpling is quite unique to Taiwan. It is not only confined to Jiufen where I took the picture; I have encountered earlier in Alishan too.
The origin of the dumpling is actually an offering used for religious purposes. The fillings can be both sweet and savoury. The green colour is imparted by a herb called Jersey Cudweed (鼠麴草) {Gnaphalium affine}. This herb is also used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The sweet filling is usually sweetened red bean paste. However, one of the most popular filling is grated radish with glutinous rice.
I opted for the grated radish filling. Can't say I was bowled over. The radish is very coarse and fibrous and while it was fragrant enough, it was quite some effort trying to be a cow.
Steamed Herb Dumplings (草仔粿)
This snack-ish dumpling is quite unique to Taiwan. It is not only confined to Jiufen where I took the picture; I have encountered earlier in Alishan too.
The origin of the dumpling is actually an offering used for religious purposes. The fillings can be both sweet and savoury. The green colour is imparted by a herb called Jersey Cudweed (鼠麴草) {Gnaphalium affine}. This herb is also used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The sweet filling is usually sweetened red bean paste. However, one of the most popular filling is grated radish with glutinous rice.
I opted for the grated radish filling. Can't say I was bowled over. The radish is very coarse and fibrous and while it was fragrant enough, it was quite some effort trying to be a cow.