How To Cook Costa Rican Christmas Tamales

masa harina

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Whole wheat flour adds fiber while cornmeal is often less expensive.

pork

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken

Turkey is leaner and healthier, while chicken is more affordable.

banana leaves

🥗Healthier: parchment paper

💰Cheaper: aluminum foil

Parchment paper is easier to find, and aluminum foil is often more accessible.

Add Tamal mix to large stockpot.

Add water. Begin to mix.

Add broth, margarine, and chicken bouillon.

Mix together.

Heat on stove until boiling.

Chop up carrots and peppers.

Cook pork fully.

Prepare cooked rice with spice to taste.

Heat plantain leaves to make them pliable.

Cut plantain leaves into 8 inch squares.

Place 2 leaves on top of each other.

Add ½ cup of the Tamal mixture base to the plantain squares.

Add some pre-cooked pork.

Add a few carrots and peppers.

Add cooked rice.

Fold plantain squares.

Cut string into 14” pieces.

Wrap up tamales in both directions.

Cover with water and boil for 30 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: