The Tamale Tradition Lives On (Barely)

Every few months, I get the urge to make my abuela’s tamales from scratch. Not the easy ones from the store - the real ones that take all day and require actual skill. This morning was one of those days.

The Tamale Tradition Lives On (Barely)

Of course, the kids wanted to help. Theo’s enthusiasm for spreading masa resulted in more food on him than in the corn husks

Theo’s helping. Sort of.

, while Sophie made it clear that this whole process was beneath her newfound teenage sophistication

Teaching the next generation. She’s not impressed.

. Marcus wisely stayed behind the camera and offered moral support in the form of coffee refills.

Six hours later, we had three dozen perfect tamales and a kitchen that looked like a masa bomb exploded. Worth every messy minute. The kids complained the whole time but you know they’ll be first in line when these come out of the steamer.

Some traditions are worth the chaos. Even if Theo did ask if we could just order them from DoorDash next time.