People in the Jiangnan region often eat this kind of green colored balls made from glutinous rice on Tomb Sweeping Day. The green color is from the juice of brome grass that is added in the rice.
江南地区的人们经常在清明节食用这种由糯米制成的绿色团子。由于糯米中混合雀麦草汁,所以团子呈绿色。
2. San zi 馓子
In both Northern and Southern China, it is a tradition to eat san zi, or fried dough twist, on Tomb Sweeping Day. The differences between san zi made by Northern and Southern people lie in sizes and materials. The former one is larger, often made from wheat and the latter is finer and made from rice.
在中国,无论是北方还是南方,都有清明食用馓子(通过油炸面粉制成)的传统。差别在于北方馓子以麦面为主料,体积较大;而南方馓子则以米面为主料,更为精细。
3. Thin pancake 薄饼
People in Xiamen in Fujian province often have thin pancakes on Tomb Sweeping Day. Dried seaweed, omelette, veggies and chili sauce are added in the pancakes to enhance the flavor.
福建厦门的人在清明节时常常食用薄煎饼。薄饼中加入紫菜、煎蛋、蔬菜和辣椒酱,会更加美味。
4. Spring onion and omelette 大葱和蛋饼
On Tomb Sweeping Day, there is a tradition to eat spring onion and omelette in Qingdao in Shandong province. People believe these two kinds of food can improve eyesight and make eyes brighter. In old times, pupils often send eggs to their teachers to show respect on the day.
清明节的时候,山东青岛的人们有一种吃大葱和蛋饼的传统。人们相信这两种食物可以改善视力,使眼睛更为明亮。过去,学生经常在清明节送鸡蛋给老师,以表敬意。
5. Steamed rice with leaf mustard 芥菜蒸饭
In many places in eastern Fujian province, people often steamed rice with leaf mustard on Tomb Sweeping Day to prevent scabies and other skin diseases.
在福建省东部的许多地方,人们经常在清明节时用芥菜蒸米饭,以预防疥疮等皮肤病。
6. Cudweed herb rolls 清明果
The best time to pick fresh cudweed herb is around Tomb Sweeping Day. The herb is often added in veggie rolls or dumplings and consumed on the day. In South China, people add the wild plant also in steamed buns.
清明节前后,是采摘新鲜鼠曲草(清明草)的时机。当天,人们会在蔬菜卷或饺子里加入鼠曲草当作馅料。在华南地区,人们还将这种野菜加在馒头里面。
7. Zitui bun 子推馍
The steamed bun is named after Jie Zitui, a famous hermit of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). Often each Zitun bun weighs 0.5kg and many colorful dough animals and flowers are decorated on the bun. Eggs and jujubes are added inside the bun to increase the sweetness. People in northern Shaanxi province have the tradition to eat this kind of bun on Tomb Sweeping Day.
子推馍以春秋时代(公元前770~476)的隐士介子推命名。每个子推馍重量约500克,馍上有许多五颜六色的面团动物和花朵装饰物。馍中通常会加入鸡蛋和枣来提升甜度。陕北的人们有在清明节食用子推馍的习俗。
8. Ai ban 艾粄
To Hakka people in China, ai ban, rice dumplings made from worm wood and rice, is a necessary dish on Tomb Sweeping Day. They blend wormwood paste and glutinous rice powder together and add sesame, peanuts and black-eyed beans. After steaming the dumplings for 15-20 minutes, the food is ready.
对于客家人来说,用艾草和糯米制成的艾粄是清明节必备的食物之一。将艾草汁和糯米粉混合在一起,加入芝麻、花生和眉豆,蒸上15到20分钟后,艾粄就做好了。