Most popular Mexican cuisine in the U.S. is defined by everyones favorite edible wrap: the tortilla. This might be the root of some confusion for those who order tamales without knowing what to expect. Unlike burritos and enchiladas, youll be exclusively eating the filling of the tamale. This is because the exterior is actually a prepared corn husk. Even if you managed to cut through the fibrous wrapper, youd be greeted with an unpleasantly chewy experience that can cause stomach aches if you somehow get it down.
Instead, when eating a tamale, you should first unwrap it before adding any sauces, herbs, or sour cream. That doesnt mean that tamales cant also be eaten on the go. Tamales are well known as a portable street food in Mexico. The trick is to unwrap them as you eat through the delicious masa harina filling.
There is a virtually endless number of ways to fill a tamale. While theyre most often encountered with savory fillings of meat, cheese, and chilis, they can be served up with sweeter fillings as well. No matter what the filling is, though, dont waste your time trying to eat the corn husk wrapper.
Be sure to remove the wrapper entirely from tamales steamed in corn husks. While plantain leaves are edible (though they’re not usually consumed with the tamales), corn husks aren’t, and could cause choking or an upset stomach if swallowed.
Tamales are a Mexican specialty, beloved by generations of men and women whove grown up eating them around the holidays, and by those who simply love Mexican cuisine. They are time-consuming to make and cook, so when the moment comes when you can dive into these little packages of goodness, you are more than eager to take your first bite. Tamales can be filled with anything from chiles and cheese to fruit but the ones most people are familiar with are filled with pork or chicken in chile sauce. Fans of tamales are usually well versed on what kind of tamales they like and how they like to eat them.
Tamales are especially popular at Christmas time but are available year-round at Mexican markets, by online ordering, at vendors and food trucks, and by those who just get the hankering to whip up a batch.
Other popular toppings for tamales include what you might like on tacos: guacamole, sliced avocado, sour cream, crumbled queso fresco, and however much hot sauce you want. These options are obviously for savory tamales but if you find yourself with a sweet one — often filled with raisins or other dried fruit and sweetened with cinnamon and sugar – you could try a little vanilla ice cream on top, or simply enjoy it with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate or coffee.
While you can eat a cooked tamale cold, the corn masa will probably feel thick and dry so hot tamales are going to be ideal. The tamale should already be cooked, but if it has been cooled, you can give it a brief steam or pop it in the microwave to warm it up.
Some eat tamales hot with fried eggs for a breakfast that is nothing short of magical, and others prefer them with rice and beans for a complete (and very filling) Mexican lunch or dinner. Since they are wrapped in cornhusks, tamales make for a potentially portable snack but many find it easier to eat them with a fork. There is certainly no right or wrong way to eat a tamale and finding your ideal way is part of the fun of this delicious dish. But if youre new to them, being presented with a tamale might be a little intimidating. Do you eat the wrapper? Should you put anything on top? Until you find your groove, this is a great way to start.
Why are tamales prepared in corn husks?
While a tamales inedible wrapper might seem like an inconvenience, its a huge part of what makes the dish unique. The filling of tamales is made with masa harina flour, which is a specially processed corn flour. Tamales are steamed to make sure the dough made from this flour doesnt come out dry. Corn husks are used to wrap them because they are slightly porous.
This means that the steam is able to penetrate the corn husk and cook the filling with a moist heat. The corn husks are able to allow the steam inside without losing their shape or letting the filling fall out as well. Once the tamales are finished cooking, they can then easily travel. Tamales were originally used as a portable food for Aztec warriors – once the tamales were steamed in their husks, it was easy to keep them wrapped up inside as the warriors traveled. Tamales made in Southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula are often wrapped in plantain leaves instead of corn husks.
How to Hydrate Corn Husks for Tamales
FAQ
Do you eat tamales with the husk on?
Why are my tamales sticking to the husk?
Can you eat tamales out of corn husks?
Tamales should always be served and eaten out of the husk. Soak the corn husks. Place 1 package corn husks in a large pot or bowl and add enough hot tap water to cover. Make sure the husks are submerged by weighing them down with a few coffee mugs. Cook the pork. Cut 1 pound pork shoulder into 2-inch chunks.
How to prepare corn husks for tamales?
Knowing how to prepare corn husks for tamales is very important. You’ll learn everything you need to know to make the most delicious homemade Mexican tamales. Sort through the corn husks to remove any corn silk, dirt or debris that may be on the husks. Keep corn husks that are whole, not cracked in the middle and not too badly damaged.
Why do tamales need a husk?
When tamales are arranged in a steamer, the husk acts as a barrier between the boiling water and the filling. This allows the steam to circulate evenly around the tamale, ensuring thorough and even cooking. The husk also helps regulate the amount of moisture that reaches the masa, preventing it from becoming overly soggy or dry.
Can you eat a tamale wrapped in a corn wrapper?
The tamale should already be cooked, but if it has been cooled, you can give it a brief steam or pop it in the microwave to warm it up. First off, no, you cannot eat the corn wrapper. Carefully take the corn husk off and set it to the side.