Make a sweet green rice ball in spring

People in Suzhou have the tradition of eating sweet green rice balls. [Photo provided by jschina.com.cn]

People in Suzhou have the tradition of eating sweet green rice balls during Pure Bright Festival, or Tomb-sweeping day, which usually falls on April 5.

There are several steps to make a sweet green rice ball: mix green vegetable juice with sticky rice flour to make a dough; divide the dough into smaller ones and put in stuff made with red bean paste, sesame powder or chopped nuts; steam the rice balls and eat after they are cooled down. The sweet green rice balls have a fresh taste of vegetable juice mixed with the sweetness of stuff, just like the smell of spring.