What is the history of tamales?
Tamales were the first dish made from corn in Mesoamerica. Evidence of tamale cooking dates back to ancient civilizations in Mexico as early as 8000 BC. Although the exact history is not entirely clear, many historians believe that tamales were first made by the Aztecs ten thousand years ago.
What does chipilín taste like?
Chipilín (also known as chepil), a wild legume which tastes like a cross between watercress and spinach, is steamed or boiled; dried and used as an herb; or added to dishes for color and flavor. On top of its culinary versatility, the chipilín plant is a nitrogen fixer that helps improve soil fertility.
What is chipilín in English?
chipilín (náhuatl) [m] CO VE. small boy.
Why is tamales a Mexican tradition?
Making tamales during the Christmas holidays is a tradition for Mexican, Mexican-Texan, and Mexican American families that has been passed down for decades. According to the Los Angeles Times, in Mesoamerica, corn was viewed as a substance of life and was believed that the Gods made humans from corn.
Why are tamales so special?
Tamales were often carried by warriors on long journeys and hunters on hunting trips. The women made them for festivals and rituals, and their preparation hasn’t changed much since. It’s safe to say that tamales have been the food ‘of the people’ in Mexico and Central America for millennia.
Where can I find chepil leaves?
Chipilín, also known as chepil, is an herb that is used and found mostly in southern Mexico, in the states of Chiapas, Tabasco and Oaxaca, and parts of Central America. It grows in bushes that grow many feet tall, with skinny stems. The leaves are green, thin and small.
What are Tamalitos de chipilín?
This recipe is for Tamalitos de Chipilín. A tamal is a traditional Latin American dish made of masa (corn dough) which is wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves. This wrapping is discarded to enjoy the tamal. They can be filled with chicken or pork meat, loroco, chipilín, and they are seasoned with a delicious red sauce called recado.
What is a tamal?
A tamal is a traditional Latin American dish made of masa (corn dough) which is wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves. This wrapping is discarded to enjoy the tamal.
How do you make Tamal at home?
Add the chipilin leaves, a handful at a time. Mix, mix, mix. This mix should feel moist, but not wet. Try to get an idea of the texture through our photographs. Take a couple of individual corn husks, and cut strips out of them, which you will use to tie up your tamal.