Tamales!

Some time ago our friend introduced us to TAMALES. We never had eaten it before. When we first saw it we thought it was corn.

The vendor fished it out of a steaming pot, unwrapped it for us and it was ready to eat. It had a carne de res-filling (spicey beef) and tasted - really good. A tad too much chile for us, but one quickly gets used to that.

Tamales have a long history dating back to the Aztecs. They called the tamales, tamalli. In the Aztec language the word means "wrapped food". They were made in different sizes and shapes in dishes and often served at festivals and ceremonies. The dough was very time consuming to make. The Aztecs would cook the tamales by burying them under hot coals. Once the Spanish conquistadores arrived, the Aztecs cooked the tamales in underground pits, or uncovered pots.The outside of the tamale is dough with the insides being the filling. Tamales have a variety of fillings which include beef, pork, and green corn. Many Mexicans add other main ingredients. Chicken and pumpkin are also common fillings. Sweet tamales will include raisins and cinnamon. Sometimes you might even find fruit tamales. Once the tamales are made, it is wrapped in corn husks. After being wrapped, they can be steamed in a kettle. Tamales are becoming very popular in the United States. You will find beef, and another filling that consists of corn that is similar to creamed corn. Tamales are found at many Christmas dinners in the American Southwest. In the Southwest the tamales will have a spicy meat filling that is beef or pork and served with a chili con carne sauce. Tamales are easy to eat, and do not leave a mess. Americans are also enjoying them for dinner. Some grocers carry them in the frozen section along side tacos and burritos. The best way to eat tamales is when just out of the steamer. You can taste all of the spices and flavor. If reheated, they still will be enjoyable....(http://www.articleclick.com/Article/What-Are-Tamales/959385)

There are a few good restaurants in the San Diego-area (i. e. Tamales Ancira, Pacific Beach and Escondido) who sell those delicacies. So, if you come across a dish you don't know don't hesitate to try it. Otherwise, you might miss out on a great experience...