Living in the countryside sometimes brings me joy to taste new vegetables and fruit. Since I moved here, I have found a rare fruit which was pushed to be grown in the 1980s. Also I discovered some endemic vegetables which translate to “traditional vegetables”.

And yesterday, I found two new vegetables in the organic vegetable section of the local supermarket. One of them is called “asupara na”, a hybrid of two Chinese vegetables. Its appearance is similar to the Chinese water spinach. And when we eat it, we feel that it is similar to asparagus. That is why it is called “Asupara na”.

Another one is called “tane na”. It looks like mustard greens. A cashier suddenly said to me, “Currently, I’m really into this vegetable. Sauteing it with oyster sauce and sesame oil is soooo perfect.” She was like a girl in love. Anyway, “tane na” looked like it would taste bitter.

Today, I cooked them. I boiled “asupara na” for a short time. So I ate them with lemon juice and soy sauce. It was sweet like asparagus as its name implies. And regarding “tane na”, I sauteed them with shrimp, ginger, Sichuan pepper, salted rice malt and oyster sauce. It was also sweet and it is more juicy and crispy than mustard greens.

Whatever it is, new experiences support us to move forward. So please invite such supporters in your life to decrease your stress.

初出：2020年4月3日