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As the winter solstice approached, our family eagerly gathered for the age-old tradition of making savory tangyuan. This ritual, preceding the winter solstice, has been a cherished custom in our family for as long as I can remember. Alongside the tangyuan-making, we also engage in the preparation of Hakka rice cake and steamed vegetable buns during festive occasions, a tradition that has been passed down through generations.
The days leading up to the winter solstice were unusually warm, but as the much-anticipated day arrived, the temperature took a sudden plunge. The chilly weather demanded more layers than we initially anticipated. On December 16th, I distinctly recall the temperature plummeting to around 16 degrees Celsius, making it a challenge to emerge from the warmth of our blankets when the alarm sounded.
Returning to the tangyuan-making affair, my aunt meticulously fried pork and mushrooms, ensuring the filling was flavorful and savory, totaling an impressive 10.8 kilograms. In the dough department, my aunt whipped up a staggering two batches of 10.8 kilograms each, a quantity that seemed almost excessive.
As we worked through the initial 3 kilograms of dough, Aunt Hsu turned to Uncle Liao and asked, "Which color do you want to infuse into the dough?" It was only when Uncle Liao produced a jar of turmeric that the mystery of the colors was unveiled. He generously added at least four spoonfuls of turmeric to the dough, creating a vibrant yellow hue. Additionally, Uncle Liao introduced mocha, beetroot, and chocolate, each representing light green, pink, and brown respectively. Though these ingredients looked colorful in their raw state, the resulting tangyuan took on a deeper and more subdued tone after cooking. Little did we know that these colorful tangyuan would become a staple in our meals for the entire weekend. Initially delightful, the charm wore off after a week of consuming them daily, transforming the once-beloved tangyuan into a slightly dreaded part of our daily menu.
Upon my arrival, the air was filled with the aromatic scent of frying pork and mushrooms. My relatives were already engrossed in the process of making tangyuan. And, of course, where there are family gatherings, there's always room for hearty greetings and lively gossip. The typical question that often arises during such reunions is the classic, "Do you have a boyfriend?" This invariably sparks intense conversations, especially when the topic of homosexuality enters the discussion. The generational gap becomes apparent as the elders grapple to understand societal changes, while the younger generation tends to embrace diversity without heated arguments. We all tacitly acknowledge that such conversations won't necessarily lead to a consensus.18
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