Tasty Ding's huoshao in Shandong's Juye

Huoshao (twisted baked wheat bread rolls) is a traditional snack in Juye county, Heze, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Huoshao (twisted baked wheat bread rolls) is a traditional snack in Juye county, Heze, Shandong province.

Autumn approaches the town of Longgu in Juye county, Shandong province. From a low-thatched cottage on Xinglong Street, a warm and inviting aroma of smoke and fire fills the air.

Over a stove no higher than the knee, the huoshao slowly turn golden brown. With each bite, the layers of meat filling and dough reveal a crispy exterior and tender interior. A unique blend of meaty and wheaty fragrances arise.

"The key to making huoshao lies in the cooking process. It may seem simple, but timing and heat are crucial, relying entirely on years of experience and intuition. Only with the perfect heat can the unique wheat and meat aromas be brought out from the dough," explained Ding Wantao, the fourth-generation inheritor of Ding's huoshao.

Ding's huoshao is spindle-shaped with slightly pointed ends, renowned for its golden color, crispy exterior, tender interior, and rich aroma. The process involves spreading an even layer of minced meat on half-fermented dough, creating a huoshao "embryo" with alternating layers of meat and dough. It is then partially cooked on an iron griddle before it is transferred to a hot clay tile to be slowly cooked to a golden hue.

The filling for huoshao is made from locally sourced green mountain goat meat aged over a year, hand-chopped into a paste and combined with ancestral secret spices, resulting in a juicy and flavorful filling for Ding's huoshao.

Ding's huoshao is a traditional Shandong snack tucked away in the smoky and lively atmosphere of the market and embodies the dedication of generations of craftsmen and their respect for ingredients. It carries the historical memories and folk customs of the warmer southwestern Shandong, allowing people to experience the simplicity and innocence from the countryside. The taste has become an unforgettable memory for many and a unique cultural symbol and regional emblem of Longgu. (Edited by Xie Zhenzhen)