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
Here are the two main ingredients for chuchitos, the Guatemalan corn tamales wrapped in maize husks. Here I caught Jennifer, grand daughter, and Anita, grand mother, on their way back from the mill where they had their cooked corn turned into maize dough and the tomato-based blend of pumpkin seeds and other herbs into a … 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
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
The basket business could easily be another series about the ambulant food vendors who make a living selling all kinds food from a canasta (basket). These canastas can be used to carry and/or sell all sorts of things like tortillas, atoles (thick drinks), panes (bread), dobladas, tostadas, beef stews, fruits and vegetables, flowers, or tamales … Read more
Not a farol left over from last year’s posadas. Nor indeed a house of ill repute, except perhaps with regards to the quality of Guatemalan grub to be purchased there. For whatever a doorway in a narrow, dark alley illuminated by little red lantern might mean back where you come from, here it means ‘come … Read more
A few Guatemalans living abroad asked for photos of tamales colorado (red) and negro (black) made especially for Christmas Eve and Christmas through New Years, so that is the reason for today’s photo. You would never see a plate like this one with three different kind of tamales served at once since it is against … Read more