Chinese cabbage, as a common vegetable, has rich meanings and symbols in Chinese food culture. It not only represents harvest and fertility, but also symbolizes purity, beauty and auspiciousness. The specific explanation is as follows:
1. One of the meanings of cabbage is harvest and fertility. In traditional Chinese culture, cabbage has a plump shape and tight leaves, symbolizing a bumper harvest and family harmony. Every important festival such as the Spring Festival, people will prepare sumptuous dishes, among which cabbage is an indispensable ingredient. This is because cabbage symbolizes a good harvest and abundance in the coming year, and hopes that your family will have a happy life and a successful career.
2. Cabbage symbolizes purity and beauty. The leaves of cabbage are green and shiny, giving people a fresh and natural feeling. In ancient literary works, cabbage is often used as a metaphor for a woman's beauty and purity. For example, there is a description in ancient poetry of "green leaves bearing dewdrops, and a beautiful face like jade", which compares cabbage with beautiful women and praises its pure and flawless quality.
3. Cabbage also means good luck and peace. In Chinese folk beliefs, cabbage is considered a mascot, which can ward off evil and protect peace. In some traditional festivals, people use cabbage to make various mascots, such as cabbage dolls, cabbage fortune characters, etc., to pray for family harmony and career success. In addition, cabbage is often used as an offering to ancestors to show respect and memory for the ancestors.
How to cook cabbage
1. Vinegar cabbage: This is a simple and easy home-cooked dish. First, wash the cabbage and cut it into sections, blanch it in boiling water and take it out for later use. Next, put oil in the pot, add minced garlic and saute until fragrant, then add cabbage and stir-fry. Finally, add an appropriate amount of vinegar, salt, sugar and other seasonings, stir-fry evenly and serve. This dish is crunchy, sweet and sour, and is perfect for eating with rice.
2. Cabbage stewed with tofu: This is a nutritious soup. First, wash the cabbage and cut it into sections, and cut the tofu into small pieces and set aside. Next, put oil in the pot, add onion, ginger and garlic and sauté until fragrant, then add cabbage and stir-fry. Then, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then turn to low heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Finally, add the tofu cubes, continue to simmer for 5 minutes, add salt, chicken essence and other seasonings and serve.
3. Stir-fried pork with cabbage: This is a home-cooked dish with good color, fragrance and flavor. First, cut the pork into thin slices and marinate it with cooking wine, light soy sauce, starch, etc. for 10 minutes. Next, wash and cut the cabbage into sections and set aside. Put oil in the pot, add onion, ginger and garlic and sauté until fragrant, then add marinated meat and stir-fry until it changes color. Then, add cabbage and stir-fry, add salt, chicken essence and other seasonings, stir-fry evenly and serve.