Food — Mexico
Tamales Oaxaqueños: Earthy, Solid, Sticky Delights
Unveiling the corn dough magic wrapped in banana leaves
I always trust that if a food stall is buzzing with people, it’s a sure sign that it’s worth a shot.
One evening, as my husband and I were making our way home, our attention was drawn to a long line forming at a street food stall. The interesting part? They hadn’t even opened yet; they were still in the process of setting up tables, unloading, and arranging their stuff on a vibrant red truck.
“This place is always crowded. Should we give it a shot?” my husband pondered. Without hesitation, I replied, “Absolutely, let’s find out what they’re offering.”
We joined the line, accompanied by a crisp evening breeze and the hum of lively conversations. This particular street food appeared to be a family-owned business. The husband expertly fried the quesadillas crafted by his wife, while their daughter skillfully handled the tostadas.
On the colorful paper hanging on the kiosk, the menu of quesadillas, tostadas, and tamales was written.
When I saw Tamales on the menu, I quickly scribbled “2 Tamales con Pollo Salsa Roja. Para llevar” on a piece of paper and handed it over.
To my surprise, we didn’t need to wait much for our order. Tamales are already made and stored in a steaming pot. The vendor carefully lifted the hot lid, and with tongs in hand, she took them and placed them in the plastic bag. I couldn’t help but ask, “Disculpe, Señora, qué son estos?” when she gave it to me. “Son Tamales Oaxaqueos,” she said, smiling. I nodded and discovered that tamales were not only wrapped in corn husk but also banana leaves, named Tamales Oaxaqueños.
Back at home, I set up a platter in the kitchen. When I unwrapped the banana leaves, I discovered that aluminum foil kept the Tamales warm. Unlike Tamales de Elote, which had a crumbly texture, Tamales Oaxaqueños had a more solid and stickier form. As I took my first bite, it was soft and moist. Despite having a pleasant aroma like an earthy scent, the banana leaf added a distinct flavor. “Muy delicioso.” I wiggled. It really dazzled my taste buds. The blend of flavor and texture. They went perfectly with the delicious spiciness of the pollo salsa rojo. It was then that I realized I’d found a new favorite. And since that first taste, my spouse and I have become regulars.
My previous story:
Thank you for reading this story ❤
If you like my story and want to support it, you can buy me a cup of coffee.