Directions for Wrapping a Chinese Tamale
Honor is at the heart of Chinese culture, and even pervades into their culinary traditions. Many Chinese foods were created to honor either divine individuals or gods, including tamales, or zongzi. Created to honor Qu Yuan, a poet in ancient China, glutinous rice is wrapped around a sweet filling, usually red bean paste. The rice and filling are wrapped in leaves and tied with twine to help them keep their shape. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bamboo leaves
- Prepared glutinous rice
- Prepared zongzi filling
- Spoon
- Kitchen twine
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Overlap two bamboo leaves of about the same shape to create a large piece that is about 5 inches wide.
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2
Bend the leaves in half, bringing the two ends together on one side. This creates an open pocket, shaped like a heel, out of the leaves.
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3
Place the cup part of the bent leaves in palm of your less dominant hand, to free up your other for filling the leaves.
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4
Pour the glutinous rice in the bottom of the cupped leaves, about 2 to 3 tbsp.
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5
Place 2 to 3 tbsp. of the preferred filling in the center of the rice, whether meat or red bean paste.
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6
Pour 3 tbsp. of rice over the filling. The filling should no longer be visible and the rice should cover it completely.
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7
Bring the bottom tips of the leaves over the rice so it touches the back of the pocket and the tips stick slightly over the back. This should completely fold in the rice and fillings in to the leaves.
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8
Wrap the string around the zongzi two to three times and tie it securely, cutting off the excess string.
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Tips & Warnings
Snip off the string and open the leaves to eat the zongzi.
Ensure that the tamale is not wrapped too tightly with the string, as the rice absorbs water and expands when cooked.
References
- Photo Credit Dynamic Graphics/Dynamic Graphics Group/Getty Images
