Why are tamales a christmas tradition

There are several theories about why this food has become so identifiable with the birth of Christ. Corn was a very important crop in Mesoamerica, with people believing that people were created from corn. Tamales, because they were wrapped in corn husks, became part of ritual offerings.

As a nod to those times, people prepare tamales for special occasions including baptisms, weddings, Dia Del Los Muertos, and, of course, Christmas. Tamales can also be seen as a symbol of the Virgin Mary , carrying in her the baby Jesus or a mother carrying a future life, especially if the tamale contains an olive. Making tamales is labor-intensive, so often many are made at once, and families and friends are invited over for a day — or more — of togetherness and tamales.

Is this Mexico Immigration Crisis really being blown out of proportion? Hot pockets, these are not. The corn filling symbolized the sun god for indigenous people years ago, but when Spanish conquistadors colonized the isthmus, the food became part of festivities celebrating the immaculate conception and Christmas. Unlike Mexican tamales, served year-round in corn husks, the Costa Rican variety, wrapped and steamed in banana or plantain leaves, is usually only seen in December. According to the UCR survey, The best way to enjoy the seasonal treat is at a tamaleada , the tradition of taking a break from buying gifts to invite friends over to the house in the afternoon to share a tamal, a cup of coffee and some good conversation.

The tamaleada is one way that tamales are gifted like Christmas cookies up north. Tico Times. Sign in. While Mexican Americans in the Southwest often opt for corn-husk-wrapped tamales, those from Central America typically wrap theirs in banana leaves. Those game for the herculean task of making them often require an entire team to help assemble them, says Erika Stanley, a chef from Dallas who grew up in Costa Rica making tamales with her family.

Each person was assigned a different role: preparing the masa, cooking a variety of meat fillings, softening up the banana leaves, carefully wrapping each tamal, and monitoring them as they cooked.

And if you make tamales, you make a lot of them, Stanley says, remembering that her family often ate them from December to January. And you need to find your tamal dealer well in advance—many people start taking orders around Thanksgiving, and those who are late to the game are left behind. Really well written, I read every word. Renee Fontes. Wow, lots of people like tamales! It means a lot to me. I grew up eating tamales at Christmas. In fact all of the ladies in my family would get together and have a tamale party.

We were all assigned a task whether it be filling, spreading the masa, or folding up the husks. We had an assembly line of sorts. My favorites have always been green corn, sweet bean, and the basic with the barbaoca meat with spanish olives. Thanks for sharing. A nice break from our normal Christmas meals. Tamales are one of those foods I have a really strong craving for on occasion!

Your photos are working a number on my stomach!!!! Lordy, that looks delicious. What a wonderful tradition Priscilla and what great looking tamales. Happy joyous holiday season. During the holidays, homemade tamales are highly coveted…. She cites an […]. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.

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