Winter Solstice

Good Evening,

today is the Winter Solstice Festival, i got to know this festival when i received an MMS wishing me about this particular festival.

yeah, its pretty obvious i don't know that this festival fall on this date, 22nd December. But hey, better late than never, right??

anyway, what i know about this festival is that the first thing that comes up to my mind is the famous dish that is a "Must-Have" during Winter Solstice, that is the Tong Yuen or Tang Yuan.

(not mistaken the latter is Mandarin). I have actually eaten this dessert before. it is basically small coloured balls that is made from glutinous flour (tepung pulut) , eaten in a bowl of sweet clear syrup. Yum! i usually enjoy this dish at kampung, but these recent years my grandmother seldom makes it, don't know why, maybe nobody asks for it??

some people actually enjoy Tong Yuen that has gula melaka in it. That adds an interesting twist isn't it? some modern version ones has some added sagu or selasih, that look like "telur katak"... hihi. yeah, that is what i think of selasih when i first saw it in my friend's drink when i was 11 or 12 years old. :)

not Tong Yuen, just want to show the selasih. "frog eggs" hihi

What is Winter Solstice actually? to be honest i have no idea. But after some research on the Net, this festival is also known as Midwinter. The significance is, its astronomically marks the beginning of shortening nights and lengthening days. it is celebrated between Decembar 21 and 22 and also between June 20 and 21. Usually celebrated by spending time with family, friends or simply gathering with loved ones.

p.s: some even add coconut milk in Tong Yuen. but for me i prefer the traditional one. maybe anyone who want to belanja me, i always will say yes to any versions of Tong Yuen! that's for sure!