In Xiacheng Village, Chujiang Town, Linwu County, Chinese toon trees are putting forth new shoots, with red leaves and green edges, which are the first gift given to farmers by spring. As one of the favorite spring delicacies of local villagers, the Chinese toon sprouts picked in early spring have the highest nutrition and the most delicious taste. 

 

There are a variety of cooking methods. The most famous one is Chinese toon with scrambled eggs. Wash and blanch the picked Chinese toon leaves to remove the astringency, cut them into small pieces and put them into a bowl, add several eggs and stir well, sprinkle with appropriate salt, pour local rapeseed oil into the pot, and then fry over high heat until both sides turn golden. The delicious scrambled eggs with Chinese toon are ready.

 

 

As well as being cooked with eggs, Chinese toon can also be cooked cold and dressed with sauce. You just need to add fresh chilli, thin soy sauce, chicken essence to the blanched Chinese toon shoots, and then sprinkle hot local rapeseed oil over it. The aroma is instantly diffused and it tastes crispy and appetizing.

 

 

Over 2,000 Chinese toon trees have been planted in the village, and they are so vigorous that they can be harvested for 3 to 4 crops a year. When they cannot be consumed, the villagers will sell them to merchants at a price of 50 yuan per kilogram, not only allowing the local villagers to enjoy the unique spring food, but also bringing tangible economic benefits to the villagers.