I just learned the history of tamales…and wow. You’ll be blown away. The first tamales were made as early as 8,000 B.C., That’s 10,000 years ago. They were eaten by the Aztec and Maya, but also the Olmec and Toltec who came before them.
| Aztec women preparing food. Florentine Codex, Book IV. |
Victoria Freixa, author at We Are Cocina writes here:
"When the Aztec and Mayan civilizations took over the area, they derived a whole lot of influence from the previous cultures. And in that spirit, the tamale became part of the everyday Aztec and Mayan lives—spreading throughout Mexico and all of Central America. Aztecs even had tamale festivals and week-long tamale-eating rituals. Now, that’s a ritual I think should make a comeback… sign me up."
Sign us up too!
Tamales were used by warriors and hunters because it was a portable meal. They were also an important ritual food offered to gods. A Spanish priest wrote that the first thing Aztec women did when preparing a festival was to make lots of tamales.
| ‘The Eating of Tamales Stuffed with Amaranth Greens,’ Florentine Codex. |
Isabel Eats, an amazing Mexican Food blog, has delicious recipes for sweet tamales, green chicken tamales, and and red pork tamales. If you're vegetarian, don't worry! She has a green chile and cheese tamales.
High-quality corn is key for tamales and many other Mexican dishes.
Our Pinole Chia Oatmeal is made with Olotillo corn from Oaxaca, Mexico. Try it out!
@thepinoleproject Tamales originated BEFORE the Aztec & Maya civilizations 😳 ##foodhistory ##tamales ##mexicantiktok ##latinotiktok ##comfortfood ##VivaCleanHacks
♬ Abeja Miope - Tormenta De Durango
