The ones used are
carved gourds
Carved gourds: also called centipede gourds. Unique traditional handicrafts flourished in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. At that time, the culture of raising scorpions was very popular in Liaocheng, and the sales volume of scorpion gourds was very high. Most of the villages that grow, make and sell gourds are concentrated in Liaocheng Chengguan, Yansi Town and Liangshui Town. The carved gourds have exquisite patterns and smooth knife skills. Although they are expensive, demand exceeds supply. Since 1978, artists have boldly innovated on the basis of inheriting traditional craftsmanship, cutting gourds into various shapes, changing flat carvings into through carvings, making the patterns three-dimensional, and creating many new products with unique characteristics. It makes a great gift.
Liaocheng writing brush
Liaocheng writing brush: Liaocheng writing brush manufacturing industry has a long history. In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, there were more than 1,000 writing workers in the territory. Fu Yi, the first number one scholar in the Qing Dynasty, took the imperial examination in Beijing and chose the best brushes from Liaocheng. Emperor Kangxi used Liaocheng calligraphy brush to write articles and poems, and inscribed a plaque "Shen Guang Zhong Ying" for Guangyue Tower, which shows that Liaocheng calligraphy brush was already well-known at that time. There are more than 200 kinds of brushes produced in Liaocheng, ranging in size. According to the specifications, there are "grabbing pens" with the longest millimeter length, which can write large characters of 3 feet; and there are also small regular script pens that can write small bean-shaped characters. According to different raw materials, it can be divided into "Yanghao", "Langhao", "Jianhao", "Qizi Sanyang" and so on. Liaocheng writing brushes, except for a few pure sheep brushes, are basically made according to the "Wei Dan method" of the Three Kingdoms period, and go through 72 processes before they are finished. It is characterized by beautiful appearance, balance of hardness and softness, strong ink absorption, durability, and the four virtues of "point, neatness, roundness, and health" unique to fine brushes. It is a good product for calligraphy and painting. In 1955, it was rated as the first among similar products in the province. Not only popular in China, but also sold to Hong Kong, Japan and other places through Qingdao, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other ports five times. Famous calligraphers Shu Tong and Yang Xuanting have written many masterpieces with Liaocheng brushes.
Things to eat include black dates
A traditional specialty of Yanggu and Chiping counties, also known as smoked dates and burnt dates. It is made from cooked fresh red dates, which are boiled, kiln smoked, and cooled in the shade. Only one process of kiln smoking needs to be repeated three times, which lasts for six days and requires "three times of kiln and six times of water". After the black dates are made, they have a bright purple color, fine patterns, and a special sweet taste. The old county annals record: "Yi is a jujube-producing area. Fresh jujubes are smoked with fire, and the surgery is special. They are sold to southern provinces, with tens of thousands of bags sold every year, and the profits are huge." The products are not only supplied to the local area, but also sold well in Hong Kong, Macao and other countries. Southeast Asia and other countries and regions.
Lao Doufu
A famous food in Gaotang, also known as tofu nao. Finely made, with unique ingredients and unique flavor. Its characteristics are: the tofu is white and bright, tender but not loose, the marinade is clear but not light, the oil is fragrant but not greasy; the food is fragrant, meaty but not fishy, ??spicy but not choking. Lao Doufu is made from selected high-quality soybeans. Peel and crush the soybeans, then soak them in stored water that has been exposed to sunlight (purified Yellow River water is best). After the crushed soybeans have swelled enough, use a stone mill to grind them into a pulp. After foaming and bagging (filtering residue), put it into a pot and boil it into bean juice. After cooling down, put it into a bucket or cylinder, add gypsum, and seal it for 20 minutes to make tofu. Add ingredients such as brine and oil and it is ready to eat. If you like spicy food, you can add fried red chilies.
Laowangzhai donkey meat
Laowangzhai donkey meat: a traditional famous food in Gaotang. The donkey meat in Gaotang is famous far and wide, and the donkey meat in Laowangzhai, Yinji Township, Gaotang is even better. Its donkey meat processing history has been more than 300 years. Because the locals commonly call donkeys ghosts, donkey meat is called "ghost meat". At the end of the Qing Dynasty, it was exported to Japan and Southeast Asian countries, and was also presented to the imperial court as a tribute. Laowangzhai's "Guizi Meat" has a unique processing method, complete ingredients and exquisite craftsmanship. Its product is purple in color, fragrant and delicious, fragrant but not greasy, rotten but not scattered, and has the functions of promoting blood circulation, lowering blood pressure, nourishing and benefiting the body. Donkey whip is called "money meat" and has the effect of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang. When locals entertain guests, there is a saying that "there is no feast without donkey meat."
Wu Dalang Shao Cake
Wu Dalang Shao Cake: a famous delicacy in Shandong Province. It originated during the Jingyou period of the Northern Song Dynasty. It was first called "Cui Cake" and later renamed "Wudalang Shaobing". It is famous all over the world because it is described in the two classic works "Water Margin" and "Jin Ping Mei"