Mooncake season and Mid-Autumn festivities

This year the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, falls on September 22nd, which is also the day when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. It’s the time for mooncakes, huge pomelos, lanterns, gathering of family and friends, and simply lots of fun and celebration. I haven’t ordered any mooncakes this year. The traditional ones usually contain a lotus seed paste, with one or more small salted preserved egg yolks in the middle to represent the moon. They are often found molded into squares or circles, with Chinese characters or shapes of flowers on top. There are many regional variations of the mooncake, with different crusts, fillings, shapes, and flavors. There are also a lot of modern mooncakes with less traditional fillings like ice cream, green tea, pandan, or chocolate.

I haven’t purchased any mooncakes this year. Last year, I picked up some organic vegetarian mooncakes from Bread A. Organic in Flushing, NY.

Also, there will a festival in Chinatown this upcoming Sunday. It is the 8th Annual Autumn Moon Cultural Festival There will be cultural performances, lion dances, music, food, mooncake tastings and more.

Date: Sunday, September 19th. 2010

Time: 12:00pm ? 5:00pm

Location: Sara Roosevelt Park