Rice Dumplings - Kee Chang (碱水粽) [Original Plain]

Rice wrapped in bamboo leaves are a specialty of the Dumpling Festival. Kee chang are rice dumplings made with alkaline glutinous rice. The rice is alkalinized with lye water. Kee chang (Plain ones) without filling are usually eaten dipped in sugar. In Singapore, Kaya is also a popular dip for kee chang. The annual Dumpling Festival is in honour of patriot 屈原 from 1,800 years ago in China. It started when people dumped dumplings into the river where he had drowned, to distract fish, dragons and whatnots from eating his body. Store in cool and dry areas. Refrigerate after a day.