Hanoi villagers harvest Dong leaves for tasty Tet holiday treats
VOV
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VOV.VN - With the Lunar New Year fast approaching, villagers of Trang Cat in Thanh Oai district in Hanoi are rushing to harvest Dong (Phrynium placentarium) leaves which are typically used to wrap various food items, including local delicacies such as Chung cake (glutinous square rice cake) during Tet.
Trang Cat village is famous for its 600-year history of planting Dong leaves. The harvesting season in the village tends to last from the 10th day of the final lunar month of the year to near the end of the lunar month.
The village is situated around 30km far from the centre of Hanoi. It’s famous for providing Lá Dong or Dong leaves to other localities nationwide for the festive season.
The farming of Dong leaves has long been practiced by the people of Trang Cat since the village was originally founded and passed down from generation to generation.
Thanks to the fertility of the land situated next to Day river, Trang Cat represents the ideal location in which to plant a variety of fruit trees such as oranges, vegetables, and especially Dong trees.
According to local villagers, Dong leaves are sold not only during Tet, but also all year round.
Dong leaves can be purchased in order to wrap traditional cakes which are unique to the occasion, including Banh Day (round cake made of sticky rice flour) and Chung cake (glutinous square rice cake).
Villagers often sell Dong leaves wholesale as local restaurants are big purchasers of the product.
Each Dong leave is worth between VND800 and VND1,000, with this price rising to between VND1,500 and VND1,700 in the last lunar month ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Dong leaves from Trang Cat village are most popular as they are known for being soft, as well as having both a catchy colour and odor.
Wrapping Chung cake with these leaves serves to provide an eye-catching green colour to the cake.
