Hello there! It’s me, Akie. Nice you could drop by my blog once again. As you can see we are having a little barbecue- like party here. You might think that barbecues are reserved for summer time, but up here in Akita, when the weather is really nice and bright we take advantage of it. And in this beautiful fall season, the best way to do that is to eat up all the great abundance nature provides from our rich seasonal harvest.
Akita has so much great food it really is hard to choose which is truly the best. Everything is just so yummy! But, if you have been keeping up with my blogs, and me. you should know that I’ve been hard at work helping harvesting rice at my grandparents’ farm. Well, all that hard work has finally paid off because now we have the shinmai fresh and tasty newly harvested Akita Komachi rice. Akita Komachi is the most popular brand name rice in Akita and renowned throughout the country with all the qualities of its name, which means, beautiful woman. This rice is the heart and soul of Akita and its people. When you come to Akita you will see many products made from Akita Komachi, from sake – rice wine – to mochi – smashed rice made into tasty little cakes – to what we are eating right now – kiritampo – mashed rice on a stick.
Oh! I’ve been so rude! I should introduce my friends. After all, they were the ones who actually brought the kiritampo for our feast!
Akiko you might remember from past blogs – She was that cutie at the beach and onsens with me. The guys here are Akihiro and Akinori. We hang out quite a bit, but like me, this time of year, they all usually help their parents and grandparents in the fields. This traditional way of life is very common in Akita. It’s what keeps us in touch with nature.
Actually, the rice for these kiritampo sticks came from Akinori’s parents’ fields. They live out near Kakunodate, which is not only famous for the samurai houses I mentioned before, but also kiritampo. You can walk the streets of the local town area and see people enjoying their sticks of mashed together rice shaped like a rod, over an open flame. Once grilled to your delight it is dipped in a thick soy sauce. Heaven on a stick!
Often though, it is served in a nabe, or soup-like dish, with lots of seasonal veggies and my favorite, hinaitori chicken. It’s so good! From there you just eat away. Try not to eat too fast, so you can savor every delicate taste. Or, so quickly so that you can get more before it’s all gone!
On that note, I have to get back to the party because if I don’t my friends will surely eat all the kiritampo…Some friends, huh? Hey guys, wait for me! Ah, I still love them though.
