Tamale Time

Tamales are a Christmas tradition here in Costa Rica, but they’re made a little different then the ones most people are used to in the states. Since Costa Rica is a more tropical orientated culture, the tamales are wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husk. It keeps the dough moist and makes more work for you to do in actually making the tamales. It was a long day of “kitchen” labor; taking turns constantly stirring the masa(tamale dough), preparing the banana leaves(cleaning, burning, and cutting), filling and wrapping the tamales, and last but not least boiling them. The process was long, but the product was great! We are planning to share the tamales with those being ministered to already by the church, and also use them to feed the homeless on Christmas day. We were so blessed on being able to learn and make the tamales, thanks again Curtis and Chelly!