Yakimochi is grilled or broiled mochi or pounded rice cake. Traditionally, it is prepared using a small charcoal grill, but in modern times a gas grill can be used. During the time of the Autumn Moon, it is traditional to eat fresh yakimochi while sipping sake and enjoying the view of the full moon.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Mochi_003.jpg/220px-Mochi_003.jpg)
During the Meiji era, yakimochi was commonly eaten in rural Japan, and historical versions contained not only rice but other grains such as millet, barley, wheat flour, and rice husks. A version from the Niigata Prefecture eaten in mountain areas used rice husks and other grain flours to make a dough, stuffed with vegetables and cooked in miso.[1][2]
Yakimochi is also synonymous with 'jealousy', which derived from a love-prediction game. In the game, two mochi are meant to represent a boy and girl, and as they cook the expansion of the mochi indicates who will make the first romantic move.[3]
Variations
editYakimochi can be prepared in several ways:
References
edit- ^ Rath, Eric C. (2016-09-15). Japan's Cuisines: Food, Place and Identity. Reaktion Books. p. 75. ISBN 978-1-78023-691-9.
- ^ Smil, Vaclav; Kobayashi, Kazuhiko (2012-08-24). Japan's Dietary Transition and Its Impacts. MIT Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-262-30446-7.
- ^ Joya, Mock (2006). Japan And Things Japanese. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-22186-6.