Winter Solstice Celebration

We were away to Kunming during the actual day of Winter Solstice Celebration which was on 22 December. Today my three "boyfriends" (aka hubby & sons) wanted to eat the glutinous rice ball ("tang yuen") in sweetened soup.  I went to buy a packet of 500gm glutinous rice flour for hubby to  knead the dough. Each of them chosen a color to shape into the little ball.

So we were actually celebrating my birthday by eating "Tang Yuen" and officially I am a year older!

This time round, with my elder son's suggestion, we rolled in brown sugar in pieces into the white ball. Yum, these tasted so much better.

As for the soup, just boil with bruised ginger, screwpine leaves and rock sugar.

As this is a tradition that should goes on, my "boyfriends" have suggested that they should do it every year!

Winter Solstice Celebration in Malaysia

Winter Solstice Celebration or Dong Zi  falls on 22 December every year and occasionally on 21 December.  This is an important festival where every family will gather to eat Tangyuan or glutinous rice ball which symbolize family unity. It is also a day where everyone becomes a year older!

The balls are boiled in water until they float. Boil water with rock sugar, bruised ginger and screw pine separately.  Add on the balls as a sweet dessert.

Dong Zi means arrival of winter. The arrival of winter means the farmers would lay down their tools and celebrate their harvest by having a feast with family members.

The Chinese community in Malaysian observes this festival just like other countries such as Singapore, China, Hongkong and Taiwan.  They would gather family members and celebrate a good meal together.

It is also noted that if any immediate family member passed away, then you are not allowed to prepare Tangyuan at home for at least 3 years.

Glutinous rice balls prepared at home