The first Ningxia middle school student science fiction essay competition award-winning works display: delicious candied haws

Editor: Kang Yan Reviewer: Yang Pengbin

(Ma Shixing, Class of 2021, Haiyuan County No. 1 Middle School)

Sugar-coated haws are a favorite snack of the Chinese people, especially those in the north. The candied haws sold along the streets have become a sight in the city and can be seen almost all year round.

Small sticks with crystal clear red fruits are all inserted into straw targets like arrows, slightly sticking out of the street, tempting passers-by. Sweet but not greasy, not sour, a bite, a crisp sound, the mouth will involuntarily make a happy sound. The crystal clear candied haws have formed a unique landscape here, and have become people's favorite food in winter.

It is said that the origin of candied haws can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty. During the Shaoxi period, Zhao Dun's favorite imperial concubine fell ill and was pale and thin. The imperial doctors used many methods and expensive medicines, but there was no improvement. Seeing that his beloved concubine was getting increasingly haggard, Zhao Dun was worried all day long. He had no choice but to post a notice to seek medical treatment. One day, a quack doctor dared to answer the notice and entered the palace. After examining the imperial concubine's pulse, he said: "The imperial concubine is suffering from blood stasis and food accumulation. I have a small plan that will cure her within a month." Because there was no other prescription, the doctor had to try it. The doctor boiled rock sugar and hawthorn, and asked the imperial concubine to eat ten pieces before each meal. Sure enough, in less than a month, her condition improved greatly. The imperial concubine continued to eat it according to this method for several months, and her body was cured. Later, someone strung it into a string of ten for easy consumption.

The emperor's story has long disappeared with the changes of history, but the sweet and sour candied haws have been passed down. I remember when I was a child, candied haws were only available in winter. At that time, candied haws were made of pure and good hawthorns, and the workmanship was also very particular. The hawthorns had to be the largest, roundest and best, and the heat had to be paid attention to when boiling the sugar. The candied haws dipped in this way were crispy and especially popular. At that time, candied haws were like luxury goods in the eyes of us children. Whenever we saw people carrying candied haws walking by, we couldn't help but have the extravagant desire to taste a bunch of them.

Every year, when the footsteps of early winter come, the first to put on the market is candied haws. I always run out happily and buy a few strings of candied haws. I hold a string in my hand and eat it up voraciously. The remaining strings are still inserted under the eaves, which looks really tempting. At this time, the candied haws have also changed. They are no longer made of hawthorns. There are also apples dipped in sugar, orange slices dipped in sugar, and candied dates strung in sugar... All kinds of candied haws, with different shapes, look like a beautiful handicraft, making people salivate. No wonder candied haws have become the favorite of children. Seeing these round, large, crystal clear candied haws, I can't help but smack my lips. Whenever this season comes, seeing the rows of candied haws inserted in the car will remind me of my childhood and the scene of me eating candied haws. These strings of candied haws have become a beautiful landscape, spreading beautiful stories, and symbolizing happiness and reunion.

Tanghulu not only looks good, but also has a very delicate method: first wash the hawthorns and use a knife to dig out the seeds inside. Only six or seven hawthorns are needed to make a string. After digging out the seeds, string them together with bamboo sticks. The next step is the most important and indispensable - boiling sugar. First pour the sugar into the pot, then add the right amount of temperature to dissolve the sugar into syrup. Do not boil the sugar for too long, otherwise it will taste bitter. After the syrup is boiled, put the strung hawthorns into the syrup pot and turn them a few times. After it is coated with the right amount of syrup, take it out and let it dry for a while. Then a string of icy hawthorns with good color and fragrance is ready.

The process of eating candied haws is very interesting. I first took a small bite of the crystal clear sugar shell, and the sweetness filled my mouth immediately. Then I took a bite of hawthorn, and a sour taste immediately rushed into my mouth. The sour and sweet taste stimulated my taste buds. I took another bite, and the crispy skin of the candied haws jumped in my mouth "crunching", chewing out a string of happy notes, which was really satisfying! The sour and sweet taste of the candied haws is refreshing, memorable, and unforgettable.

Eating candied haws has many benefits, not only for children but also for the elderly. For example, it can strengthen the stomach and digest food. In fact, candied haws is just hawthorn wrapped in a layer of sugar, which does not change any characteristics of hawthorn. Therefore, it has all the effects of hawthorn, and is even more popular than hawthorn. If children do not want to eat or have indigestion problems, they can eat some hawthorn. Even if they do not eat hawthorn, they can eat some candied haws, which can stimulate the appetite and digest food. Hawthorn also has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. It can treat some injuries and has good effects. Of course, it does not mean that eating hawthorn can cure injuries. You should still see a doctor. For middle-aged and elderly people, blood pressure is a more important issue. Many people have various problems because they cannot control their blood pressure. In fact, hawthorn has the effect of lowering blood pressure, and candied haws can also be used. It’s just that the elderly should eat in moderation, otherwise other problems are likely to occur.

People sing in the song: "They say that the sugar-coated haws are sour, but they are sweet inside... The sugar-coated haws are beautiful, and they are pierced with bamboo sticks, which symbolize happiness and reunion. Happiness and reunion are linked together, and there is no worry or trouble..." How well it is sung! Linking happiness and reunion together, there is no worry or trouble, which fully expresses the beautiful wish of ordinary people for happiness.