At the table
Eat a small portion alongside a staple, or tuck some into Sibe flatbread. Taste a little first: saltiness and chilli heat can be strong. Bread and other accompaniments are separate from the pickles.
The plain vegetable-and-salt version is vegetarian and vegan; confirm any added seasoning or cooking fat, especially if it is stir-fried. Contains celery and chilli. The accompanying flatbread contains wheat and is not part of the pickle recipe. Do not assume that every serving or accompanying dish is free of allergens.
The mix and proportions vary with the season and household. Some versions add green radish or use yellow rather than orange carrots. The plain salt-pickled vegetables are distinct from meat dishes cooked with the pickles.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
The mix and proportions vary with the season and household. Some versions add green radish or use yellow rather than orange carrots. The plain salt-pickled vegetables are distinct from meat dishes cooked with the pickles.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Salty and pungent, with garlic-chive aroma and chilli heat that varies with the peppers used.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Thin vegetable strips retain some crunch while becoming more pliable through salting.
- How it’s made
- Cut mixed vegetables into fine strips, combine with salt and pack into a pickling jar. Serve the preserved vegetables as a small side dish. Recipes and curing times differ.
The mix and proportions vary with the season and household. Some versions add green radish or use yellow rather than orange carrots. The plain salt-pickled vegetables are distinct from meat dishes cooked with the pickles.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Xinjiang.
About this regional connection
Xinjiang: Xinjiang SibeLanguageSociety and Qapqalcountygovernment describe local mixedpickledvegetable dish.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有花花菜吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Colour on the winter table
Sibe households in Xinjiang traditionally prepare mixed vegetable pickles in autumn for winter meals. The vegetable strips bring red, green, pale and yellow tones to the plate. A small plate beside Sibe flatbread remains a characteristic pairing.