Little Packages of Luck

It’s the Year of the Pig (or Boar) with the Chinese New Year celebration this year falling on February 18th. Traditionally, a time of food and family, lucky foods are served: a whole fish symbolizes togetherness, with the head and tail representing a good beginning and end to the year; noodles symbolize a long life; oranges and tangerines mean abundance and happiness; and dumplings (jiaozi) are thought to signify luck and wealth.

Some believe that jiaozi resemble the ancient Chinese gold ingots and thus they symbolize good fortune for the coming year. Traditionally, families get together to make the dumplings and, in rural areas, the choicest livestock is slaughtered for use. The dumplings consist of meat and/or vegetable filling wrapped into a thinly-rolled piece of dough, then sealed by crimping their edges together.

Few people take the time to get together and cook, but we hope you’ll try making these treats with your family or friends.

Happy Year of the Pig!

Pork and Ginger Dumplings

On the Side:
Some New Year’s Day superstitions worth mentioning: the entire house should be clean (so, you have a few more days); sweeping or dusting should not be done on the New Year for fear that good fortune will be swept away (don’t touch that broom); if you cry on New Year’s Day, you will cry for the rest of the year (oh, my!); do not wash your hair (you will wash away good luck); and do not use scissors as this may cut off good fortune.