Before making rice dumplings, the first thing you need to get ready is the bamboo leaves. I will usually clean them 1-2 weeks ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, then freeze them for later use.
What does Dragon Boat Festival celebrate?
Dragon boat festival is a traditional Chinese festival, which originated from the Yangtze River in China. The festival, also known as Duanwu Jie (端午节) or Tuen Ng Festival (端阳节), is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar year (usually late May or early June).
The traditional activities associated with this holiday include eating Chinese rice dumplings (also called zongzi), drinking realgar wine and racing dragon boats. Chinese rice dumpling (Zongzi) is a kind of glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves or reed leaves.
CHINESE VERSION: 如何处理和收藏粽叶
How to Clean and Store Bamboo Leaves | MyKitchen101en
What you will need:
- Bamboo leaves
- Dishwashing net
- Ziplock bag
Directions:
1 Soak dry bamboo leaves in plenty of water for 5-6 hours until soft.
2 Clean the softened bamboo leaves with a dishwashing net or sponge, change the water and clean for 2nd time, then rinse thoroughly again with clean water.
3 Drain off the water, then put into zip lock bag, keep refrigerated if using the next day.
4 Store the cleaned leaves in the freezer if you wish to keep for a longer time (I used to keep it up to a year).
5 Thaw the frozen leaves at room temperature for 1-2 hours before using (do not soak the frozen leaves directly into water as it will crack).
How To Clean And Store Bamboo Leaves
Equipment
- 1 Ziplock bag
- 1 Dishwashing net
Materials
- 1 pack bamboo leaves
Instructions
- Soak dry bamboo leaves in plenty of water for 5-6 hours until soft.
- Clean the softened bamboo leaves with a dishwashing net or sponge, change the water and clean for 2nd time, then rinse thoroughly again with clean water.
- Drain off the water, then put into zip lock bag, keep refrigerated if using the next day.
- Store the cleaned leaves in the freezer if you wish to keep for a longer time (I used to keep it up to a year).
- Thaw the frozen leaves at room temperature for 1-2 hours before using (do not soak the frozen leaves directly into water as it will crack).
A good tip for storing bamboo leaves. Dumplings – delicious – lots of work – labour intensive.
No need to boil it?
I don’t boil it, the instruction on the packaging suggests soaking the leaves in plain water. If need to use immediately, then soak in hot water.