PrintTamales! Who else loves them?!
there is something almost magical about the masa mixed with the lard and then filled with a savory filling and steamed in a corn husk. By far and away my favorite Mexican food...especially if purchased roadside or from a Mexican bodega.
Does anyone else share this love?
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15 Comments:
I have a neighbor who was born in Mexico. When her mother comes to visit, she has a big tamale making party. It is a chance to drink, eat, and bring home a big bag of homemade tamales for the freezer. What fun!
Library Lady at 10:41AM on 08/01/07
Oh, yes, I'm with you. And even more, I love homemade fresh corn tortillas. So very good and earthy-tasting. Yum.
orangemiles at 11:10AM on 08/01/07
Red chile-and-shredded-pork tamales encased in corn masa are a longstanding food tradition here in New Mexico; but most women I know only make them for special occasions and holidays, because tamale-making is a lot of work! When I loved in Arizona, discovered green corn tamales made with fresh corn and green chile. Wonderful!
hatlady at 11:12AM on 08/01/07
I love tamales. What I did not love is when Tony Bourdain went to Mexico and had iguana tamales. It looked gross and that is how he said it was.
JerzeeTomato at 4:26PM on 08/01/07
If the tamale was a god, I would have to reverently approach it in adoration (before I sub sequentially devoured it!). One of my all time favorites!!
My aunt who lived in Mississippi at the time taught me how to make tamales.
I brought that recipe (in my head) back to Chicago and Michigan and became famous in the family for making them.I could never keep up with the demand! No one realized the amount of work involved!!
Library Lady, your experience was the epitome of "smart". My only problem is I'm such a stickler in the kitchen, demanding that procedures be followed exactly. Not many people have the patience given the amount of work involved.
Anybody know places in the Metro Detroit area that serves a SUPERIOR tamale? School me!! tytheladyisatramp@yahoo.com
joturtle at 4:44PM on 08/01/07
The Southern Foodways Alliance put together a Tamale Trail so that lovers of tamales can find them in the Mississippi Delta.
Here's the link:
http://www.tamaletrail.com/
sawyerriley at 6:09PM on 08/01/07
I just finished writing in another post foods I would love to try - and now I must add another. I'm determined to track down tamale ingredients in London and have me a wee party!!
B
Hand to Mouth
A blog for the penniless gourmet
handtomouth at 6:32PM on 08/01/07
Hand to Mouth--you can get the ingredients for tamales online at mexgrocer.co.uk. Gather up some friends and y'all can have a tamalada!
homesicktexan at 6:49PM on 08/01/07
I've been lucky enough to always have a co-worker that makes tamales. The going rate seems to be $5 a dozen. A couple tamales, rice and refried beans makes for a great dinner.
PhotoKirk at 7:34PM on 08/01/07
I've been tamale phobic!! I think I'm afraid of eating them incorrectly and having the server in the restaurant laugh at me. So I open the husk and eat it with a fork right? Geezzz I have issues!
Jennefur at 10:26PM on 08/01/07
If The Tamale was a god I would approach it with adoring reverence (just before I devoured it!).Tamales are my passion! My aunt, who lived in Mississippi at the time taught me how to make those succulent snacks and I brought the recipe (in my head) back to Chicago and on to Michigan.My family clamored for them constantly. I could never keep up with the demand. Library Lady's experience was definitely about "smart"!! It takes a lot of work!!
However, I don't think I could convene a tamale party; I am too much of a stickler in the kitchen about process, and few have the patience it takes.
Anybody know any place in Metro Detroit that makes SUPERIOR hot tamales?? Please school me! tytheladyisatramp@yahoo.com
joturtle at 1:08AM on 08/02/07
Jennefur!! tamales R a multi-ethnic soul food! Eat them any way you like!
They are often served with toppings--chili, salsa,cheese,hot sauce,etc., so a fork is in order probably.
As kids (and grown ups) we ate them hand to mouth out of the shuck or scraped out w/ fingers--still the best way!!!
joturtle at 2:07AM on 08/02/07
My very favorite store-bought are from Central Market in San Antonio. I also love tamales made with fresh corn and cheese filling, and wrapped in fresh, green corn husks which give a summery flavor that can't be beat!
dksbook at 1:19PM on 08/02/07
In NYC try Sucelt on 14 Street & 6. I never tire of singing the praises of this place. It's not quite the Southwest or Mexico, but artfully prepared nonetheless.
Dish at 1:21PM on 08/02/07
So you all are talking about Mexican tamales- has anyone ever had Colombian or Venezuelan tamales? Those are my favorite by far. I think the masa is much tastier and there is a huge variety of fillings - chicken, pork, garbanzos, capers, olives, raisins, onions... to name a few. The biggest difference, though, is that they are wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks. So good!! I know there used to be a lady selling homemade ones on 49th St off of 6th but that was a couple of years ago. Not sure where else they are available (although admittedly I haven't looked too far). If you ever get a chance you should definitely try them! (They're also sometimes called ayacas - but there is some debate in my family at least as to whether tamales = ayacas)
meaganl at 4:46PM on 08/02/07