China - Tricks, or treats!

Halloween is a very American holiday but, in these days of global integration, it's spreading far beyond those shores. Pauline D. Loh shares some not-so-scary recipes.

They would come in gigantic packs. Those famous M&M chocolate beans, Tootsie Rolls, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups all these classic American childhood candies beloved by all ages would fill the aisles in supermarkets and hypermarkets around this time. For all I know, the shelves are still groaning under their weight and the tooth fairy still chuckling in delight.

It's Halloween in a couple of days, and while the kids don't come trick-or-treating in China often, all the pubs and restaurants we've passed are dusting off their pumpkins, artificial cobwebs and plastic glow-in-the-dark skeletons and offering free grub, candies or even beer to entice customers to a scary evening of uninhibited spending.

To those not familiar with the term, Halloween may be more recognizable as the name of a series of horror movies than a traditional holiday.

Despite its popularity in the United States, the origins of Halloween are very Old World. In fact, its roots rise from the Celts, the mystic tribe from the British Isles. It is celebrated on Oct 31, the last day of the Celtic calendar. Pre-Christian era druids honored the dead on this day, and that's why you also know it as All Hallow's Eve.

Wiccans, as the modern day witches call themselves, also celebrate Samhain or "summer's end" on Oct 31, as a day to mark the end of one season and the beginning of another.

So why the treat or tricks tradition? It's a little like the Hungry Ghost Festival celebrated in the lunar calendar's seventh month is southern China. You put out sweet treats to appease the roaming spirits or ghosts that may do mischief if they are not properly acknowledged.

But whatever its origins, I think only children and partygoers now anticipate Halloween with any excitement at all. For most of us, it provides an excuse to take a break, gather with a few friends and maybe have an evening together drinking mulled wine to chase away the chills of early winter.

After dinner as the evening darkens, bring out the pumpkin seed cupcakes with their gingery bouquet, and share a platter of pumpkin and sesame seeds brittle. You may also want to acknowledge the traditional icons with spider-web cookies that are simple sugar cookies iced with white icing and chocolate.

And while you're at it, buy a pile of pumpkins and start having fun making some jack o' lanterns that you can place tea lights in. It will add warmth and atmosphere!

Pauline D. Loh in Beijing/China Daily | ANN

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