Here’s a sampling of the different tamales available in Guatemala. Bon appetite!
In Guatemala, Christmas is a family day; an occasion for strengthening the family bonds. Christmas is also a feast day full of deliciously comfort food such as tamales, ponche (fruit punch), hot traditional chocolate drink, café de olla, desserts, and the fruits for the occasion are grapes and apples. ¡Feliz Navidad!
Chepitos are the other kind of tamalitos de frijol I have had the opportunity to try in Guatemala. The difference between tayuyos and chepitos is minimal, but there’s a difference. As you can see, chepitos have whole black beans mixed with the corn dough. Also, the wrapping is maize husks as opposed to the banana … Read more
There are two kinds of tamalitos de frijol that I have encountered in Guatemala: Tayuyos and Chepitos. Today I bring you tayuyos which are basically small tamales, thus tamalITOS, with paste of black beans mixed in before cooking and wrapped with maize plant fresh leaves. As I have said before, in Guatemala alone, there must … Read more
As I have said before, the giant tamal de oriente is not only bigger, but it also included lots of meat, usually pork or turkey. The seasoning ingredients are different as well.
How many kinds of tamales are there in Guatemala? As explained in the entry, The Main Ingredients of the Guatemalan Chuchitos, these are quite possibly the most popular tamal in Guatemala. Chuchitos are made with cooked corn which is turned into maize dough and the tomato-based blend of pumpkin seeds and other herbs into a … Read more
What is the world is coming to? What is this vegan tamales thing? Oh come on, if you take the meat and all the things that make tamales so flavourful, you end up with vegan tamales. To each its own. Now, I believe typical ordinary tamales are already lactose free and gluten free, since there … Read more
Did you know that in Guatemala alone, there must be over 100 different kinds of tamales if not more? Tamales are an ancient American food, made throughout the continent for over 5000 years. How about that for trivia, thanks to Wikipedia. There are so many kinds of tamales that if one was to try a … Read more
Let me introduce the famous “Tamalito de Elote.” Made of corn, it’s one of the simplest ones when it comes to its ingredients. No over the top sauce or meat, no luscious herbs but instead the purest taste of corn. If you’ve ever heard of Men of Maize (“Hombres de Maíz” in Spanish), a novel … Read more
Our loyal and long-time reader Jessica Flores explained the differences on Facebook. Here are my quick and dirty translations on the fly: Chuchitos = corn dough, tomato-based sauce y meat inside, wrapped in dried maize husks. Eaten as an appetizer. Tamalitos = single corn dough and other ingredients such as chipilin, chicharrón, etc., no sauce, … Read more
These are tamalitos de frijol, which basically are small tamales, thus tamalITOS, with black beans mixed in before cooking and wrapped with maize plant fresh leaves. Who can tell the difference between chuchitos, tamalitos, tamales and paches? Best answer will win a photo post card sent via snail mail to you home or office.
The gigantic tamal from oriente (Eastern Guatemala) is the equivalent of 4 to 6 typical tamales or about a dozen Mexican typical tamales. The plate that holds this tamal is 11 inches or 28 cms in diameter. The dough has been cooked only once as opposed to the typical Guatemalan tamales which are cooked twice. … Read more
Among the most popular foods found for dinner in Christmas Eve and during Christmas are tamales colorados (red tamales), tamales negros (black tamales), pierna, pavo (turkey) for main dishes. Also, apples and grapes are almost always found at the table. For drinks the most popular is ponche (fresh or dried fruit punch), but you can … Read more
Believe it or not, not all the Guatemalan tamales are created equal. Some tamales are bigger than others. This is a self-evident truth; don’t you agree? In Guatemala alone, there must be 100 different kinds of tamales if not more. Tamales are an ancient American food, made throughout the continent for over 5000 years. How … Read more
Here’s what a typical Sunday morning Guatemalan breakfast may look like. I say Sunday morning breakfast because normally one can only find tamales on Saturday night or Sunday morning. Guatemalan tamales are normally served along with pan francés (French rolls [how to say pan francés in English?]) and a cup of hot coffee or chocolate. … Read more
Certainly some of you can help us determine the differences between chuchos and chuchitos, which were both mentioned yesterday in Guy Howard’s ‘first‘ guest contribution. Perhaps then, someone brave enough can tackle the differences between tamalitos and tamales. Finally, once both answers have been already explained, pues, might as well elaborate on the differences between … Read more