Hempstead ISD hosted its 2nd annual Tamalada Navideña on Saturday, December 10. Hempstead ISD families, community members, and staff came together to make tamales. Tamalada is a Christmas tradition in many local Hispanic families. During the event, parents became the teachers and taught those in attendance the process of making tamales. More than 40 community members and staff spent time fellowshipping, assembling, and cooking the popular holiday dish.
During tamale-making breaks, families, and staff enjoyed hot chocolate, coffee, churros, and traditional pan dulce, also known as sweet bread. From mixing the masa, dough for tamales, to spreading the corn husks and adding the meat, there was fun for the entire family. Younger children decorated cookies and created a tamal Christmas ornament to take home with them. Each family was able to leave with a dozen tamales.
The event was organized by Hempstead ISD Director of Bilingual/ESL and Family Outreach, Maggy Paramore, General Manager of Food Services, Tim Wilson, and Hempstead ISD Chef Carmela Peña.
“We learned from each other, we spent time together, we took home delicious tamales, and most importantly we created memories,” Paramore said.
The District is already looking forward to next year’s event and encourages families to attend because there will be something for everyone.