Introduction: Although the weather in Nanjing is still very hot, today marks the first solar term of autumn, Lichun (Start of Autumn). The old agricultural saying goes: "Rain during the 'dog days' brings drought, but rain on Lichun brings a good harvest." The food to be eaten on this day is therefore quite particular and has its own traditions.
It is customary to eat melons on Lichun. The "Capital Annals," published during the Republic of China era, records: "On the day before Lichun, eating watermelon is called 'kenqiu' (啃秋)." The Nanjing custom of "kenqiu" by eating watermelon has continued to this day. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, many people in Nanjing suffered from scabies. Some people began to eat more watermelon, imitating the story of the daughter of Cui Xianggong of Luzhou Prefecture, who ate melons to heal her scabies. Over time, eating more watermelon in the autumn season became a local custom in Nanjing, not only to prevent dryness but also to welcome the arrival of autumn.
The folk custom of "tieqiubiao" (贴秋膘), or "autumn fat," has long been observed. As the cool autumn arrives, people seek to make up for the weight loss of the summer by eating braised meat to regain the "fat" they lost. Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, people would be weighed on a scale on the day of Lichun and compared to their weight on the day of Lixia (Start of Summer) to see if they had lost weight. As the autumn wind begins to blow, many people's appetite increases, and they choose to eat braised meat, roasted meat, or braised pork in soy sauce to "fatten up."
Braised Pork with Eggplant
Ingredients: Eggplant, pork belly, soy sauce, scallions, ginger, oil, salt
Method:
1. Slice the eggplant, and prepare the pork belly, ginger, and scallions.
2. Heat oil in a wok, then add the pork belly.
3. Add the ginger and scallions and stir-fry.
4. Pour in the soy sauce first, then add the eggplant.
5. Add water and start to stew. Once the eggplant changes color, stir it.
6. Add salt, turn off the heat, and serve once cooked.