With the Dragon Boat Festival just around the corner, a local hospital is helping to lighten the burden on housewives by introducing healthy, easy-to-make recipes for zongzi (粽子), a traditional delicacy usually eaten during the holiday period.
“Zongzi, which is full of glutinous rice, is difficult for elderly people and children to digest,” a nutritionist from Cathay General Hospital said. “They often complain of a bloated stomach or constipation after consuming zongzi.”
However, after months of experimentation, a team of nutritionists has come up with six nutritious zongzi recipes that do not compromise on taste.
“The secret is to substitute high-calorie ingredients with healthier choices,” said Chen Ming-yu (陳明玉), a nutritionist who created one of the recipes.
One traditional zongzi has about 450 calories, but these new recipes can cut the calorie count by half, she said.
“Glutinous rice can be replaced by mashed pumpkin or tofu, braised pork with chicken and bamboo with lots of seasonal vegetables, such as eggplants and long beans,” she said.
To cater to the younger generation, Chen suggested wrapping zongzi in different styles. Some of these recipes, for example, can be made into the shape of a hamburger, a pizza or rice balls.
“The presentation attracts children’s attention and thus increases their appetite,” she said.
Not only are these zongzi recipes healthy and creative, they are also low cost.
“Because we use seasonal fruits and vegetables, the cost of each zongzi ranges from NT$7.80 to NT$15.40,” the nutritionist said.
“These tips are very practical,” a housewife surnamed Shu said. “Now I can cook for my family and know that they won’t be eating too much fat.”
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