The methods for making huntun or wonton dumplings in Xuanbao town and crab roe soup dumplings in Quxia town – both in Taixing city, in East China's Jiangsu province – were recently officially recognized as representative items of provincial intangible cultural heritage, or ICH.
To make Xuanbao wontons, the paper-thin wonton skin is wrapped with fresh, tender and smooth stuffing, which are then sealed by hand. Those skilled at making them can produce more than 40 wontons a minute.
When the wontons are cooked, prepare a bowl of soup and a spoonful of crab oil to freshen things up, making a serving of delicious food.
A delightful, steaming bowl of Xuanbao wontons. [Photo/WeChat account: txfabu]
When it comes to making Quxia crab roe soup dumplings, the key to the process is the soup and the meat filling. It should be made by simmering local high-quality grass chicken in the soup, mixing it with crab meat, crab roe and fresh pork filling and applying more than 10 seasonings.
Jiangsu is said to attach a great deal of importance to the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage in the process of promoting its rural vitalization.
The goal is that by identifying ICH projects, the province can leverage the power of its culture to promote the development of the rural economy and the inheritance of traditional handicrafts.
Always a favorite: Freshly cooked crab roe soup dumplings. [Photo/WeChat account: txfabu]