Tamale Research Paper

Have you ever ate a tamale (tamal)? Well if not your missing out. Tamales are traditional Mesoamerican dish made of masa. Tamales have been traced back to the Ancient Maya people, who prepared them for feasts as early as the Preclassic period from the 8000 to 5000 BC. My family makes tamales in the fall and holiday it brings us together for family time. Tamales are an ancient and modern cunei that brings family’s together and there made uniquely and has a cultural background. When the Aztec women were taken along in battle as cooks for the army. There was a need to have a more portable yet sustainable food and the tamales could be made ahead of time, packed and warmed as needed. Now we cook tamales more for holidays and in the fall time. Originally, the tamales were cooked by burying them in hot ashes, which made them crispy and brown. At which point, steaming the tamales in underground pits or in uncovered potsce. When steaming the tamales, the Aztecs believed that the tamales sticking to the bottom of the pot was a sign of good luck, and would protect

There is nothing different about “Christmas” tamales, other than they are made for Christmas. However, because the preparation is so time and labor intensive, tamales have become associated more with the Christmas holidays and special occasions. Perhaps because these are times that family and friends come together and thus can work together to prepare the masa and to make the sauces and meats. The kitchen is converted into an assembly line to wrap the tamales before steaming them in large pots on the stove. The tamale making process takes all day and preparations often start one or two days prior. Therefore, making just a few tamales is rarely heard of. Tamale making has become a social event, often referred to as a tamalada, where people come together to make new friendships and strengthen old