If not for them I would not be sitting here enjoying the most perfect sunday afternoon snack ever invented. The Tamale! GEEZ!!! I LOVE these things. Does anyone know if it's possible to die from eating too many of these at one sitting?:D

There are so many mexican immigrants here in Nampa, ID, both legal and illegal, that someone is ALWAYS selling fresh home made tamales. Life is good.

What do you guys like to snack on while playing poker on the weekends? If you say granola, I will lose all respect for you.

Whats a Tamale? Not many Mexican illegal immigrants in the UK.

Molina

Well, other than the Webster's Dictionary definition that I already gave:
Tamale: (n) pronounced "Tuhmahlee" - The most perfect sunday afternoon snack food ever invented.

It's basically shredded meat (Beef, chicken, or pork normally, usually spiced up) wrapped up in maza (cornmeal dough type stuff) and then heated up (I think they actually deep fry them a little first though but I aint sure about that). Kinda like a hot pocket but much better. They wrap them in corn husks to hold in all the goodness until it's time to enjoy them. Then just pop them in the oven or microwave, heat it up to your own personal preference, then unwrap it on a plate and slather it in your favorite topping. Sour cream or taco sauce or enchilada sauce are my personal faves. I have seen folks use ketchup though.
I don't know all the ins and outs of making them, I just know I likem!

We don't have lots of Mexicans down here Seb... So, I haven't had a lot of experience with the almighty TAMALE (outside of Taco Hell maybe... although there, they call it a soft taco...)... BUT, the best Spanish snack around here, and THANK GOD I don't live in Miami anymore or I'd weigh 700 pounds, are Empanadas... MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM... I just gained 5 pounds thinkin about em... Sorta like a Jamaican Beef Patty, but a little crispier...

Goddamnit... I'm sittin at work w/ no food and now I'm STARVIN... (*&%$(%*$)#*($)(@#&*!!!

MVP,
Being the Taco Bell conniseur that I am, I can definitely tell you that a soft taco is NOTHING like a tamale. Tamale is WAAAYYYYY better. The jamaican patty thing sounds good though. I thought an empanada was like a McDonalds apple pie. They make them with meat too?
And WTF are you doing at work on a Sunday?

I know there are some Texans on here, c'mon guys, back me up on this! I heard there were a couple of folks, with heritage from south of the border, in Texas at one time or something. If they left then maybe "y'all" don't know what a Tamale is anymore.

dude.... tamales were my personal crack while i lived in austin. tamales and cold beer.... ahhhhhhhhhhh.

iirc, the cornmeal is mixed with lard, so that may indicate the type of richness of this dish.

anyway, i would LOVE to be able to get some real tamales now. i'm limited to the canned old el paso ones now.

cornmeal yes, but a different grind known as "masa harina"...when done properly, one of life's true delights...A pain in the ass to do on your own, but if you ever do, make a million of 'em in one day and freeze the rest---Even the hard core hispanics I know usually don't mess with them unless it's a holiday or special occasion...If you use any other meat than shredded pork, then go have a veggie burger!!

MVP,
Being in S. Florida, you have the luxury of eating Cuban food, which is way better than any Mexican food out there. Fried Plantains! (sp) kick Tamale's ass anyday.

Fried Bananas? Sounds like a dessert that isn't quick and easy to prepare. Actually I have had them and I know they aren't a dessert, the ones I had were more like big round french fried potato patties. Quite good actually, but can you just pop it in the oven for a minute or two and then sit back and enjoy while you play poker? I didn't say that Tamales were the greatest food ever, I said they were the "most perfect sunday afternoon snack ever created". That means, easy to prepare (if you don't make them yourself initially and just buy a bunch from someone who does. VERY easy to do here in Idaho), they are quite filling, taste awesome, great mouth feel, and just plain feel good food for a sunday afternoon playing poker online. Makes losing to multiple suckouts easier to handle if your stomach is so full and happy that you can't be bothered to chuck you mouse at the monitor. And since they can be stuffed with lots of different meat fillings, they are also variable so you don't get bored with them.

Kick Tamales ass anyday? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!

I'll see your fried plantain and raise you 2 tamales and an empanada!

As for Cuban food, if we're going to get off subject here then I will tell you of a Cuban dish that I had once that was just mouth wateringly good.
I don't know what it was called, but it was a pork loin that they had somehow shoved a banana through the middle of. And along with the banana, there was cilantro and lime juice and god knows what else in there too. But it was just AWESOME! Then it was oven roasted. When they sliced it, it looked like a medallion of pork with a banana center. Then there was somekind of sauce put on it too. Jesus, I'm licking my lips just writing this. Any cuban food lovers out there know what this dish is called?

I'm in South Texas and used to go to Mexico every Christmas and get 24 dozen tamales for myself and gifts to customers. Don' t do that anymore, though. Got to noticing something. I have NEVER seen a dog or cat in Mexico.

Think about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JJ

Well duh. Who hasn't eaten a pussy before. Course I've been eatin' dogs my whole life at the ball games.

Background:

Me: Originally from massachusetts where the biggest Mexican restaurant is Taco Bell.

Wife: Lived in California all her life. Knows mexican food very well


The Conversation


Me: Tried my first tomale today, hun. One of my customers told me last week she was going to bring me in some.

Wife: Really? Well, how did you like it?

Me: It was terrible. I don't know why anyone would eat those things.

Wife: That's unusual. Tomales are very good usually.

Me: It was gross. Damn thing was so crunchy and I nearly broke a tooth on the first bite.

Wife: Uhhhh, sweetie, you're not supposed to eat the outer wrapping.

Me: