"Mrs. Pyke Eats Korea" can be seen every month in the Chosun Taekwondo Academy newsletter Chuseok is the harvest festival that is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Everyone returns home to their families for this three day event. Very much like our Thanksgiving as we go over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house! Just as we do, traditional food is consumed to honor the harvest. One of these foods is Songpyeon. Songpyeon is a rice cake made from glutinous rice and filled with honey, sesame seeds, sweet red bean paste and chestnut paste. The cakes are shaped in little half moons and are made to be as pretty as possible because it is believed if you make a beautiful Sogpyeon you will have a beautiful daughter. The cakes are shaped in a half moon because it is believed the full moon can only wane but the half moon will wax and grow bigger, thus representing a growing abundance for the year. The cakes are steamed on a bed of pine needles that imbues them with the scent of pine. This must be quite a taste sensation!!
Another interesting fact I came upon about Chuseok, some say
that Chuseok marks the day when the Silla
Kingdom won a deciding battle against the Baekje (Paekje) Kingdom.
Next time I head to the Korean market I will look for some
Songpyeon . This will be a fun addition to our Thanksgiving desserts.
Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!
Peace and Love,
Hey! Thanks for sharing this. Everyone must try korean chuseok food once in thier life.
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