Com or green sticky rice is a must during the autumn season in the capital city like “chung” cake in lunar new year and candy for Halloween.
When you talk about fall in Hanoi, you should not miss the green sticky rice. The taste of rice from Me Tri village is considered one the best even when we have no idea when would green sticky rice became signature of fall season.
Every year, more than 50 households in the village fire up to burning rice flakes twice a year.
During autumn season, rice flakes are sweeter and more aromatic to make best com.
The sticky rice used for rice flakes should come from young plants. Me Tri Village in Nam Tu Liem District and Vong Village in Cau Giay District are the most famous places in the north for this treat.
Using machine to remove the grains from paddy flowers is an important step.
The grains are put inside water to remove tailings which will be floated to the surface.
The grains are roasted for two hours.
All the husks are removed by ground under a wooden pestle, and the ground grains are screened again.
The final product is wrapped in lotus leaves, and these green-yellow flakes are ready to serve. Some creative northerners have also used them to make delicious steamed sticky rice or ice cream, and coat shrimp and fish balls with the flakes before frying.