Christmas is coming and, for Costa Ricans, that means it’s time to make tamales! A traditional Costa Rican dish, tamales are made of a corn-based dough and contain meat, rice, potatoes, carrots, onions, sweet chili and some additional secret ingredients. The filling is wrapped in a banana leaf, which is then cooked in boiling water–just describing it already makes me think of the smell!
Making tamales for Christmas in Costa Rica is referred to as the famous “tamaleada.” Tamaleada involves a big family feast, and each family member brings whatever he or she can, whether it be money or ingredients. Some family members also contribute by helping to prepare or to wash the banana leaves, which is one of the more difficult jobs. Making tamales requires real effort, but it creates an excellent opportunity to spend a lot of time with family. A single family might produce 1,000 tamales on their special tamaleada day!
The taste of the tamales can vary from region to region, but you will find them throughout the country, and Ticos usually enjoy them with a cup of coffee. I recommend taking advantage of the Christmas season and eating a delicious tamale in one of the many “sodas” here (small, family-run restaurants). Add a little bit of “salsa lizano” to it (a thin, smooth, light-brown sauce) and enjoy!