World Flavors Cookbook

Tamales de Navidad

Honduran Christmas tamales — corn masa filled with pork, olives, capers, and raisins in a red sauce, wrapped in banana leaves.

Cuisine: Honduras

Ingredients

• 1kg masa harina
• 500ml pork broth
• 100ml lard
• For filling: 600g pork shoulder, cooked in tomato-chile sauce
• Olives, capers, raisins
• Banana leaves
• Achiote for color

Instructions

1. Beat lard until fluffy. Add masa harina, achiote, and broth to make spreadable masa.
2. Prepare pork filling with tomato sauce.
3. Soften banana leaves over flame.
4. Spread masa on leaf. Add pork, an olive, capers, raisins.
5. Fold and tie.
6. Steam 1.5-2 hours.