My grandparents immigrated to the United States from a small village in Jalisco, Mexico. A very beautiful state, teeming with culture and life. A traditional treat is given during the celebration of Navidad, or Christmas, it is the tamale de dulce. The tamale de dulce is a sweet treat given for a happy and prosperous new year. The dish itself starts out as masa, or dough, made of flour and water. Then it is flavored with a few spices and sweeteners mixed in with raisins as well. Once the dough is prepared, you simply spoon generous amounts into husks of corn, fold it and then steam to cook in a big olla, or pot.
Every since I can remember, it has been tradition for my family to wake early on Christmas eve to gather our things and prepare to spend our Christmas at grandma and grandpa's house. After we arrive, I see that all my family is there to enjoy in the festivities, my family, my aunts and uncles, all my cousins, and of course my grandparents. We bring our gifts to nestle under the grand tree my grandpa and uncles bring. While my mother, aunts and grand mother cook their own recipe's for tamales all day and compete with one another to see whose's is best. During which all the children run and frolic and play for the rest of the day. Then once the meal is prepared, we give grace and eat. After the meal is finished we all gather around the tree and distribute presents accordingly while snacking on delicious tamales de dulce.
I suppose the real reason I enjoy these succulent treats is because I only eat them during happy times. Surrounded by loved ones, sharing good will towards all, and forgetting all the things wrong in life, if only for a moment. These simple little snacks meant alot to me growing up, more than just a satisfying taste, much more. This is a tradition, something that always puts a goofy grin on my face. It is not the food that matters, but what it represents.
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