Join Hempstead ISD for the annual Christmas Tamalada, a tamale-making party, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, at the Hempstead Elementary School Cafeteria, 1340 13th St.
Hempstead ISD families are invited to get in on the tamale making and learn from veteran tamale makers, who are volunteering their time to teach those in attendance. Each family will leave with one dozen tamales and childcare will be provided.
A Tamalada is an event to assemble tamales. This traditional event brings family and friends together to make as many tamales as possible. Tamaladas are usually held in December during the holiday season. This tradition is much more than tamale making, it's about keeping cultural traditions alive, passing down recipes and techniques to each generation, and gathering around the kitchen table for quality time.
What are tamales?
Tamales are a traditional dish in several Central and South American countries. Each tamal is a small steamed cake of dough made from corn (maize). In the preparation of tamales, masa is made into a thick paste, spread on a corn husk, a filling is added, and then it is wrapped up with a corn husk. The tamales are then steamed until cooked. However, tamale making is no simple task. It takes patience.
The tradition of tamale making.
Tamales have been around for a lot longer than you would think. Their Mesoamerican origination is believed to have been early as 800 BC. The Aztecs and Mayans were the original tamale makers. Over the years, tamale-making during the holidays has become a tradition. One to be shared with family and friends.
All Bobcat families are invited to learn how to make traditional tamales for FREE. We have all the ingredients. We just need YOU!
For more information please contact Hempstead ISD Director of Bilingual and ESL Services, Margarita Paramore, at (979) 826-3304 ext. 227 or paramorem@hempsteadisd.org.