When I was a kid, ‘lantern day’ was something to look forward to. There will be moon cakes, yam,
ling-kok, pomelo, fizzly firecrackers and of course lanterns. The run up to the festival day was even better. There were so much of preparations to be done.
First, we’d buy moon cakes from the supermarket. Red bean paste, lotus paste with duck yolk, mixed nuts and
ping pei (snow skinned). My favourite would be the plain moon cake moulded into the shape of a fish and tied up in a pink or red plastic basket. Like a Santa sock, the little baskets can be reused to hold tiny toys or sweets.
Mom would also buy the palm-sized yams,
ling-kok and pomeloes from the wet market, a five-minute walk away. The yams were my favourite. Mom would wash the yams clean, put them in a bowl and submerge the bowl in a pot containing two inches of water and steam them till they are cooked. I’d fish one out from the steaming pot and peal the outer skin away and eat the yam. The taste is slightly bland and I’ll swaddle the yam with lots of raw white sugar and worry about cavities later.
Another of my favourites is the
ling-kok. Hideously black in colour with two pointy ‘horns’ facing downwards, it resembles the double-arched stick drawing birds flying over the horizon we used to draw as a kid during art class. Till date, I’m not really sure what ling-koks are but it sure is fun eating them. The outer shell is hard as a walnut shell and armed with a hammer and pliers, we’d hammer and pry the shell open. The nut within is light yellow and unfortunately I can’t remember how it tastes like.
Then there was the pomelo. Cutting open a pomelo requires some skill. My sisters and I would crowd around my papa while he slices the inch thick skin with a kitchen knife. And with the first pry, the juicy aroma will fill the air with a refreshing scent. Like a huge orange, I’d eat at least two pieces. Mom would make sure that she buys some pomelo leaves and chrysanthemum flowers from the market as well and place them in the bathroom
kong (water container). The next morning, we’d have scented water to bathe with.
And the highlight for me would be lantern and firecrackers shopping at the sundry shop. Displays of lanterns made of transparent colourful paper in wire frame hang in abundance. There were birds, chickens, fishes and I’d have a tough time choosing because I was usually only allowed to buy one. There were also packets of Japanese paper lanterns in an assortment of colours. Colourful candles in boxes to buy. And firecrackers. Of course, the latter are banned now. What a shame.
That night after our family dinner, the front of the house will be lit with lanterns, we’ll play with firecrackers and eat moon cakes. Laughter, teasing, running around and happiness would permeate the air. And as the night draws to an end, we’d fold the lanterns nicely and keep them in the store to be reused next year. Ah, bliss.
