QUOTE (TheWrenchWench @ Dec 13 2008, 12:33 AM) 
QUOTE (TheWrenchWench @ Dec 15 2007, 06:55 PM)
QUOTE (rmiller @ Dec 15 2007, 06:22 PM)
WW, you need to make them out in the dunes so that you can have helpers. Tamales are a lot of work. Unless you have made them, you can't even imagine. They ain't cheap to buy either. I give a few dozen away to special people, but keep most to feed the family.
Damn, might have to cook some tomorrow.
Damn, might have to cook some tomorrow.
I won't go too much into details as to why, but it is very important to me to make tamales each year. To carry on traditions that no one else seems to care about. The first year I made them without the help of las madres that I learned from, I cried my heart out. I no longer cry, but embrace the tradition I was taught and pour all my love and every good thought I can into my tamales as I truly feel that food feeds the soul and heart as well as the body. I have had helpers over the years, most recently NE14SAND's wife, but poor girl has the flu this year. Also, my son helps me. But I enjoy the hard labor, if you want to call it that. It brings me peace and ties me to my culture.
The ones that I give dozens to are the people that are special to me~ there are a few on this board that I consider my family. I also take around 12 dozen to work (that's why I'm making them tomorrow~ I'll be preparing lunch for the staff with the help of those bringing side dishes) because they are also my family.
For me to take payment for my tamales takes away the pleasure I get from making them. Maybe it's silly, but I am proud that I am one of a very few of my age these days that can cook traditional Mexican food the way I was taught. And that I don't think it's too much work to make things the way my mom or my grandma taught me. I embrace the old tradition of feeding those who show up at your door and take it one step further by delivering them to those who have been kind to me. I think that if we had the village tradition of always thinking of your guest and his/her needs, the world would be a kinder place.
Okay, time to move on to the red salsa! The tomatillo one is amazing, if I may say so myself.
It's that time again!
I must say that my heart is a bit heavy, entering into the tamale making time this year, as it is the 10th year that I have not made tamales with my mom. This is my choice, and the right one, but it still weighs heavy on my heart.
As is my tradition, I will have tamales cooking all day Sunday. If you would like to stop by and sample, PM me!
I want to stopy by and sample but you're soooo far away!
Hard work. My favorite are the green chili cheeze ones mmmmm.
Hope that I can still get a green chile one or two from Nik though, they are my fav as well, and Nik makes some damn good ones! 
. Hope to see these traditions for many years to come. Feliz Navidad, and enjoy your food.