Enjoying a Unique Salad in Muong Te
Chit salad is a rustic dish that is characteristic of the Cong in Muong Te District, Lai Chau Province. This dish is made from the young shoots of the chit (Thysanolaena latifolia) tree, a wild plant that grows in the high mountainous regions of northwest Vietnam.
The cuisine of the Cong is known for its delicacy and variety, featuring a range of cakes, salads, dried fish, and preserved meats. Among them, the salad from the young shoots of the chit tree is perhaps one of the most unique dishes of the Cong.
According to the local elders, in the old days when the Cong to their upland fields, they would often pick the young shoots of the chit tree to eat. Gradually, they brought it home to steam it until tender, then mixed it with wild ambarella fruit and coriander to create a unique dish.
To make the salad, the Cong typically select soft, light green chit shoots. After harvesting, the young shoots are thoroughly washed and soaked in diluted saltwater to remove any bitterness. Then, the shoots are scooped out, rinsed again with clean water, and blanched in boiling water.
The dressing for the dish is prepared from fish sauce, sugar, lime, chili and garlic in suitable proportions. The blanched chit shoots are then added to the dressing, along with some herbs, roasted peanuts, and mixed thoroughly.
This salad has a delightful combination of sour, sweet, spicy flavors. It's aromatic, easy to eat and often served with rice or noodles. Visitors to Muong Te District are always surprised and delighted to learn about and taste this unique dish.
By Cong Dat/VNP Translated by Nguyen Tuoi