Traditional Costa Rican Tamales Recipe

May 30, 2023 Post a Comment

Table of Contents [Show]

Alicia’s homemade tamales are a must have for any TexMex lover. Alicia's Mexican Grill from aliciasmexicangrille.com

Description

Tamales are a traditional dish that is widely enjoyed in many Latin American countries. In Costa Rica, tamales are a staple dish that is often served during the holidays or special occasions. Tamales are made with a corn masa dough that is filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, and spices. The dough is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until it is cooked through.

Prep Time

The prep time for traditional Costa Rican tamales is approximately 2 hours.

Cook Time

The cook time for traditional Costa Rican tamales is approximately 3 hours.

Ingredients

For the masa dough:

4 cups masa harina (corn flour)
4 cups warm water
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 tablespoon salt

For the filling:

2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into small pieces
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup cooked black beans
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

For the banana leaves:

16-20 banana leaves, washed and dried

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Steamer pot or large pot with steamer basket
Large pot for cooking the pork
Knife and cutting board
Aluminum foil

Method

1. In a large pot, cook the pork shoulder in water until it is tender and falls apart easily. This should take approximately 2 hours. Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, warm water, vegetable shortening, and salt. Mix until a smooth dough is formed. 3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, black beans, chopped onion, chopped red and green bell peppers, chopped cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well. 4. Once the pork has cooled, shred it into small pieces and add it to the rice and vegetable mixture. Mix well. 5. To prepare the banana leaves, cut them into 12-inch squares or rectangles. Place them in a pot of boiling water for a few seconds until they become soft and pliable. Remove them from the water and dry them with a towel. 6. To assemble the tamales, place a square of banana leaf on a flat surface. Spoon a generous amount of masa dough onto the center of the banana leaf, and spread it out into a rectangle shape. 7. Spoon a generous amount of the pork and rice mixture onto the center of the masa dough. 8. Fold the banana leaf over the filling, and then fold the sides towards the center. Wrap the entire tamale in aluminum foil. 9. Place the tamales in a steamer pot or large pot with a steamer basket. Steam the tamales for approximately 3 hours, or until the masa dough is cooked through. 10. Remove the tamales from the steamer and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with your favorite hot sauce or salsa.

Notes

Tamales can be made with a variety of fillings, such as chicken, beef, or vegetables. The filling can be adjusted to your personal taste preferences.

Nutrition Info

One tamale contains approximately:

Calories: 300
Protein: 10 grams
Fat: 12 grams
Carbohydrates: 40 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Sugar: 1 gram

Recipe Tips

Make sure to use ripe banana leaves. Unripe leaves can be tough and difficult to work with.
When filling the tamales, make sure not to overfill them. This can cause the masa to split when cooking.
Leftover tamales can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
When reheating tamales, steam them for a few minutes until they are heated through.

Enjoy your homemade traditional Costa Rican tamales with family and friends!