Moritake Junsai Nabe (Watershield Hotpot)

Junsai nabe is a seasonal hotpot found in the Mitane area of Akita, available from May through August when watershield is harvested. Watershield is an aquatic plant whose clear, gelatinous buds are picked by hand from shallow boats; Akita Prefecture produces around 90 percent of Japan's supply. The hotpot base is a reduced bone broth with soy sauce and sake, cooked with napa cabbage, leeks, burdock, and hinai-jidori chicken, a cross-breed local to Akita. Junsai is added briefly at the end to warm through without losing its slippery texture. Kiritanpo, hollow rice dumplings formed around sticks and softened in the broth, are a common accompaniment.