According to the lunar calendar, February 3 is Setsubun (the division of seasons) this year.
It is the day before the beginning of spring, that is the end of winter.
People scatter beans to drive away evil spirits and bring in good luck. The custom varies a little depending on the regions though. Each person eats the same number of beans as their age. Sushi rolls, sardines and soba noodles may also be eaten.
Ehomaki (Fortune Sushi Roll)
The fortune sushi roll eaten for Setsubun is called Ehomaki.
The long and thick sushi roll contains seven ingredients. Seven is the number of Shichifukujin (good fortune gods) widely worshipped in Japan.
The whole roll is eaten at once while silently making a wish and facing to the lucky direction of the year (north-northwest this year).
I made the sushi roll only with plant food. Seven ingredients were shiitake mushroom, carrot, cucumber, gourd strip, avocado, sesame and green perilla.
Shiitake, carrot and gourd strip were cooked dowm with sugar, sake, soy source and soup stock. The spup stock was made from dried kelp and dried shiitake mushroom.
On the nori (edible algae or seaweed) sheet, sushi rice (330g steamed white rice seasoned with 1+1/3 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1+1/3 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp salt) was spread and seven ingredients were put on the middle of the spread rice. Then they all were wrapped by the nori sheet using a bamboo sushi mat.
I cut them into species and ate, though it should be served whole without cutting into pieces for celebrating Setsubun, which means that relationships are not cut off.
Every taste went together very well and I especially liked the aroma of perilla and the sweetness of carrot. On the other hand, avocado was subtle in flavor so I should have soaked it in soy source beforehand. And… protein was lacking for one meal…
It is very cold every day but spring is certainly approaching.
The exploration of my own vegan recipe is to be continued…