The chestnuts from Henan County are indeed big and plump, but because they are too big and difficult to ripen, they are not as easy to eat as the small chestnuts from Hebei County, and they are also sweeter and softer.
Especially the quality of Qianxi County is the best.
"You don't know the taste. The chestnuts that have just been fished out are very hot. There is a small point on the top. You can peel it off by pressing it with your hands. The chestnut meat inside is smooth and clean. When you put it in your mouth, you will feel a sweet smell. Son, after two more sips, the soft, glutinous and sweet taste spreads on the tip of the tongue, which is really addictive." When Zheng Ruqian described it, he seemed to smell the smell and swallowed several times.
Aunt Zhang opened her eyes wide with surprise on her face.
Even Xu Mo flipped through the books curiously, as if he wanted to find related delicacies in the ancient descriptions.
Not to mention Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan.
Only Jiang Sheng clicked his throat, rolled his big round eyes, and said, "I don't believe it... unless you give me a taste."
Zheng Ruqian laughed, walked over and pinched his little cheek, "Just try it. I not only bought chestnuts this time, but also brought sand for frying chestnuts."
With a look from him, Wang Xiaosong rushed out, and soon he carried out a bag of sand and gravel.
Aunt Zhang went over to help wash it, wipe off the water, put it in the iron pot and stir-fry until there was no moisture left.
Add two tablespoons of sugar and stir evenly, then pour two tablespoons of oil on it, and finally add a pound of chestnuts and stir-fry until cooked.
"Why do you add sugar and oil to this?" Jiang Sheng muttered.
Zheng Ruqian fiddled with her little ball head, "Roasted chestnuts with sugar, sugar is definitely indispensable, the oil will dissolve the sugar."
Jiang Sheng was afraid of him, so she quickly covered her two little balls and hid behind Xu Mo, "But the sugar is attached to the shell, and the shell is inedible. Wouldn't it be a waste to add sugar?"
Zheng Ruqian also had this question.
At that time, the boss of Qianxi County replied, "Because the sugar will gradually caramelize during the frying process, the smell of caramel will spread for thousands of miles, which can attract more customers and make the chestnuts look more delicious and more appetizing."
Sounds reasonable.
As Aunt Zhang cooks, the taste of caramel gradually floats out and sticks in everyone's mouth, making them more and more eager for the next taste.
About half an hour later, Aunt Zhang, who was sweating profusely, scooped out a chestnut, peeled it open in full view of everyone, and stuffed it into little Jiang Sheng's mouth, letting her taste it raw and cooked.
Although the fried chestnuts are fragrant without any caramel flavor, the sweetness and softness of the chestnuts still occupy the mouth instantly. The sandy and creamy texture is simply soul-stirring and makes people want to stop.
Jiang Sheng chewed it only two or three times, then raised his neck and swallowed it.
"How is it?" All the brothers asked.
Zhang Xianglian also looked over with a smile, "Are you done?"
Jiang Sheng circled his fingers a little shyly and told the truth, "I didn't taste it..."
The soft and delicious chestnuts were so delicious that she forgot to taste them raw and cooked.
The brothers all supported their foreheads.
Only Aunt Zhang nodded and scooped out all the chestnuts, "It should be ripe. Little Jiang Sheng won't be able to swallow it if it's not ripe."
Evenly sized chestnuts with an oily sheen and burnt aroma were transferred to the table, and everyone rushed forward. No matter who the master or servant was, the owner or the long-term workers, they just grabbed a few, peeled and tasted them.
If they had already salivated after hearing the description, then after actually eating it, they understood why Zheng Ruqian had to transport chestnuts from Qianxi County, Hebei County back.
"This thing will definitely be welcomed by the people of Fengjing."
"It sells better than glutinous rice and jujube cakes."
"The people of Fengjing are blessed."
Everyone nodded and tasted it, or talked about it.
Jiang Sheng didn't say anything, just buried his head in shelling.
Fried chestnuts can be said to be easy to peel, but after all, you still have to do it yourself. The first few times are fine, but after peeling, you will easily lose patience.
Just when Jiang Sheng was tired from peeling shells and was about to shake his hands and continue, a white palm stretched out with four or five peeled chestnuts on it.
As soon as she took it, before she raised her head, another hand brought five or six chestnuts over.
Then there was a slender and small palm, a clean palm without calluses, and five or six intact peeled chestnuts were given.
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Sheng, who was still competing with Ke'er, harvested a large handful of chestnut meat.
She twisted a piece and stuffed it into her mouth, then covered the remaining chestnut and snickered.
Wang Xiaosong next to him peeled off more than ten pieces, put them in his arms, and ran towards the backyard.
There, there was his sister, Wang Xiaozhu, who was picking medicinal materials.
Everyone was happy.
Only Zhang Xianglian was hesitant to speak, and then swallowed it down when she thought that today was the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Some words are not suitable to be said on such a day of reunion.
By the time the chestnuts were eaten, the sky was dark.
Everyone started preparing dinner in a lively manner.
The dumplings have been wrapped long ago, and the mutton elbows have been cut into pieces. They just need to be stewed until they are tender. The other roasted chickens and side dishes have already been torn apart and put on the plate.
Otherwise, there is strength in numbers.
Aunt Zhang usually cooks alone, and with Xiaozhu's help, it takes half an hour to cook just five or six dishes.
Now that the whole family is joining the battle, the fire in the stove has never stopped. It has been licking the bottom of the pot seductively, transferring the temperature, boiling the soup, and stewing the delicious food.
When it was completely dark, all the dishes were brought to the big round table in the main hall.
All the old and young, long-term workers and servants, all sit together at the same table, without distinction of superiority or inferiority, and without each other.
They have no home, no parents, no place to go back to.
As the fireworks of Fengjing surged, they drank from glasses and drank together with chopsticks.
Jiang Sheng, the youngest, was holding a tea cup and sipping. He caught a glimpse of the colorful sky from the corner of his eye. He immediately threw down his cup and chopsticks and ran to the yard happily.
In Shili Town, they had seen members of the Niu and Ma families setting off fireworks outside.
In Xieyang County, they saw money-making businessmen setting off fireworks.
In Anshui County, they saw fireworks set off by the Wang family and other aristocratic families.
From a few short breaths, to half a cup of tea time fireworks, to a full stick of incense fireworks, the level of prosperity gradually increases.
Now in Fengjing, in this prosperous and prosperous city, she saw the most beautiful fireworks in the entire Dayu Dynasty and experienced the longest fireworks show in her life.
The brilliant light bloomed in the dark night, attracting everyone's attention and admiration.
Jiang Sheng couldn't help but murmur, "Whenever, we can also set off fireworks."
Of course, this is just talk.
Once upon a time, the brother and sister discussed setting off fireworks during the New Year when they made money. However, when they became rich, they realized that the price of fireworks was too high for them to accept.
Even the short-lived fireworks set off by the two members of Niu and Ma cost dozens of taels of silver.
Wang Fufeng also said personally that the Wang family's fireworks cost at least a thousand taels of silver every year.
Nowadays, a gorgeous beauty like Fengjing costs probably tens of thousands of taels of silver.
The more they know, the more they realize how expensive fireworks are, and the more they understand that fireworks are not something they can have now.
So Jiang Sheng could only mutter something quietly amidst the sound of firecrackers, then put his chin in his hands and looked at the sky with envy.
"Look, it looks like the Jiang family is setting off fireworks over there..." Jiang San pointed to the southeast and yelled.
There, there was a huge and beautiful arc-shaped firework that was blooming slowly.
There was also a tall and straight man who smiled at his sister beside him and said, "Chenghuan, do you like it? I'm sending you fireworks."
