Birthday Tamales

So far, October is all about tamales. USA Today’s Hispanic Living Magazine just published an article in their Fall/Winter 2012 issue on the lost art of tamales. Their writer, Christine Romero, called early in the summer to interview me about why on earth I’m making my own tamales (she also mentioned it was really hard to find young women that still make them). As I explained to her, my Grandma Salazar’s tamales are a connection to my roots. It would be a tragedy to lose hold of our family heritage and traditions, and besides that, they are just so delicious.   

So when my sister Megan mentioned “tamales” ranking on her wish list for her birthday dinner with the family, I said “you got it!” She’s not the only one who benefits from a fresh batch of tamales. I went straight to work the next day cooking the meat, and spent the following day putting them together. Now they are rolled, and tucked away in the freezer until they make their debut in the steamer at the end of this week. I’m getting very hungry. . . And as always, to read the full story on Grandma Salazar’s tamales, visit my dear friend Nicky’s gorgeous blog to read the guest post I wrote telling all about them. It just so happens, Grandma is turning 90 this week and this marks 65 years she’s been making her own tamales. Although we can’t be there to celebrate with her in person, we will celebrate from this side of Colorado. Instead of raising a glass in her honor, I’m raising a tamal! Feliz cumpleaños to Megan and Grandma!