Anhui Stewed Turtle with Ham (Hong Shao Jia Yu) — Huizhou Prestige
Huizhou, Anhui Province
Stewed soft-shell turtle (甲鱼) is a Huizhou prestige dish — the soft-shell turtle's gelatinous skirt is prized for its collagen content and unique texture. The turtle is braised with Jinhua ham, Shaoxing wine, and aromatics until the skirt becomes silken and yielding. One of the more unusual ingredients in the Chinese culinary tradition, with a rich umami depth that is distinct from other proteins.