[Miyagi] Delicious farm-fresh sweets found in the northern part of the prefecture!

Northern Miyagi Prefecture is a treasure trove of roadside stations and direct-from-the-farm produce markets.
The size of the freshly picked vegetables is unbelievable, far surpassing the vegetables you see in supermarkets!
The charm of direct-from-the-farm markets is that just looking at them is exciting!
However, this time we've decided to focus not on vegetables, but on delicious Japanese sweets found at direct-from-the-farm markets!
Don't underestimate them as just country sweets.
Recently, direct-from-the-farm sweets have been quietly gaining popularity as Japanese sweets that are attracting attention from young people as well!
This time, let's introduce some direct-from-the-farm sweets that you can eat in northern Miyagi Prefecture!

rice cakes

Mochi (rice cakes) are famous in the area stretching from northern Miyagi Prefecture to southern Iwate Prefecture.
Ichinoseki City in Iwate Prefecture has such a developed mochi culture that it hosts the "National Mochi Summit" every year.
However, northern Miyagi Prefecture is not to be outdone.
A local specialty sweet that can be enjoyed in a wide area, especially around Wakuya Town, is to place freshly made mochi in a bowl and top it with plenty of red bean paste, kinako (roasted soybean flour), zunda (sweetened edamame paste), or walnut paste!

My recommended flavor is definitely "zunda" (sweet edamame paste).
Be sure to try Miyagi Prefecture's specialty "zunda mochi" directly from the producer!
Also, at the direct-from-the-producer market "Hanano Hana Ichiba" in Misato Town, you can enjoy three different flavors of mochi!
This is a convenient option for those who can't decide which one to try!

INFORMATION

Ganzuki

Ganzuki is a charming, locally sourced sweet that resembles a chocolate brownie. It can also be written as 雁月.
This local dish has a fluffy, sugary steamed bun-like texture, but the addition of soy sauce gives it a distinctly Japanese flavor.
Its unique name is said to come from the sesame seeds scattered on top of the round dough, which are likened to the moon and geese. It is mainly sold in northern Miyagi Prefecture, but is also found as far north as Iwate Prefecture, so you can find it at local farmers' markets throughout the region.

The ganzuki sold at "Ogon no Sato," a direct-from-the-farm shop attached to the hot spring facility "Wakuya Tenpyo no Yu," is an unusual type that is densely packed rather than fluffy.
Its texture is reminiscent of gateau chocolat.
Whether you're trying ganzuki for the first time or have eaten it many times before, why not give it a try?

INFORMATION

Chimon

A balding writer who loves travel and laughter.
A nice guy who hides his thinning hair by shaving his head!
He travels north and south to bring smiles to Tohoku through his writing!

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