Festival Food

Last week we had the Tanabata Matsuri in my town. The basic idea is to wander around grazing on all sorts of traditional festival yummies – mostly on sticks!

Ayu (river trout) grilled over hot coals. On sticks!

These cucumbers are pickled Japanese style so are a little soft and salty.

Yakitori – chicken pieces grilled over flames.

Corn on the cob is grilled, and slathered with soy sauce and butter.

Dango – balls of mochi, toasted by hot coals and dipped in various sauces.

Candied apples. On sticks.

Chocolate coated bananas. On sticks.

Taiyaki – these soft battered shaped “crepes” are traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste – but now come with a variety of fillings such as caramel, chocolate and custard.

There… that should make up for a few missed dinners!