Traditional Chinese festivals all have their symbolic foods – especially the four big traditional festivals. In terms of Chinese New Year's Eve diner, the time-honored and well-known spicy dishes – the distinguishing feature of gastronomic delicacies in the city of Quzhou, in East China's Zhejiang province would be the first choice for locals.

Considering residents from other cities in Zhejiang eat light or sweet food, it makes for quite a culinary contrast in Quzhou.

[Photo/WeChat account: quzhoufb]

Santouyizhang

When people talk about the signature dishes of Quzhou, they refer to the integrated special dishes of santouyizhang (or "three heads and one foot") – made up of the heads of rabbit, duck and fish, with duck feet added for good measure. The Quzhou rabbit head is among the 10 most popular dishes in Zhejiang province. These are regarded as indispensable dishes in exclusive restaurants and food stalls.

The fragrances of the dishes waft from afar, so that everyone who comes to the city can't help but to tuck into them to satisfy their appetite for spicy food. The first bite always sweeps the diner along with its strong, pungent taste.

The integrated special dishes known as santouyizhang are regarded as being indispensable additions to the tables of Quzhou locals during Chinese traditional festivals. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhoufb]

Green river snail

[Photo/WeChat account: quzhoufb]

Green river snail is a traditional snack from Kaihua county, Quzhou city. Unlike ordinary river snails, the green river snail has a slim shell and greyish-green fresh meat. It is also called Kaihua green river snail, as it is only found in the source of Qiantang River in Kaihua, and the most famous ones are those in Qixi town, where the source water of Qiantang River lies. The water is so clean that it gives the green river snail another name – clean water river snail.

It's not difficult to cook the snail. You stir-fry it with ginger and garlic in rape oil and then add some purple perilla and yellow rice wine, the cooked snail is just like black pearls inviting people to have a try. It tastes fresh and tender. Besides, the snail is so clean that there is no need to worry about any dirty insides.