Food has always been a part of my family identity, connecting us to our culture. We’ve always eaten traditional Chinese food, and cooked up traditional meals during Chinese holidays. During Chinese New Year, my family always tries to get a hold of some kind of authentic food, whether it’s given to us by relatives who live in China, or stored from visits before. One of these foods are little walnuts, the specialty snack from Hong Zhou. My mother, who was born and raised there, always ate them during the new year as a child, the most luxurious food she could get a hold of at the time. She’s told us stories about her childhood, and eating little walnuts is like a throwback to memories that I’ve never lived through. Walnuts are like relations to traditions and life that I’m proud to be a part of, and eating them each new year reminds me of China and where my roots are. Though it’s just a food, delicious and good food to pair with conversation, little Hong Zhou walnuts are full of good memories and stories that connect our family and culture together in America. 

– ES

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant