DID SOMEONE BABBLE AND SQUAWK?

They eventually agreed that broccoli (西蘭花 'sai laan faa') was a great and universal good. After debating yellow, versus crisp green, dark green, soft spots, avocado, lotus root (蓮藕 'lin ngau'), unnaturally blackened vegetables. It was circular. Both in English and Toisanwaa. Meanwhile, at another table, some gentleman was talking unintelligibly, for all the world like he had his mouth full, even though there was nothing in it. What on earth was that dialect? Standard Cantonese at one table over. Fatty (肥仔 'fei jai') came in -- speaks Mandarin understands Cantonese), by his presence adding to the linguistic mayhem.
Good lord, I am surrounded by Chinese Yorkshiremen.


Lotus root (蓮藕) can be eaten raw or cooked. It is sweetish and crisp. Slightly mealy. It is supposed to make you happy. It goes well with pork. So naturally it makes you happy.

Candied lotus root is easy to make. Peel and slice into discs. Steep in acidulated (generous squeeze lemon juice) water, then simmer in thick sugar syrup (again, a generous squeeze of lemon juice) for about forty minutes. Take out and drain, then dust with powdered sugar and store in a glass jar. Note that fresh ginger added to the syrup is a splendid idea, and one drop of red food colouring is an artistic touch.

One could do the same to broccoli, I suppose, but reactions to this might be askew.
I've done this with lotus root. Never with cruciferous vegetables.
If you decide to do so, let me know how it is.

Syrup-cooked cabbage, probably with lots of vinegar in the sugar solution, sounds dreadfully English. Perhaps with mustard, turmeric, and cayenne added. A traditional pickle served with beloved dishes like Boiled Horsheads, Lambs Teapot, and Badger in the Woods.
Or whatever those things are called. Good with Bubbling Betsy.
Beer battered turnips.


Yorkshire is a very strange place, for sure.
Even if populated by Cantonese.



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