
Hi everyone! I hope you’re having a great Christmas weekend! If you remember I blogged about my family’s tamale making tradition a couple of weeks ago. You can check out the post here. Me, my mom and grandma got together last Saturday to make 25 pounds of three types of tamales. My grandma said she learned how to make the tamales by watching her mother make them every year during Christmas time. Her and her mother never used an official recipe or accurate measurements. I asked my grandmother to write it down but she said she couldn’t. It’s not because she doesn’t want to share the recipe. Lynn, don’t worry I will get you the recipe one way or the other sometime! I didn’t forget about your request. My uncle, Fernie Ontiveros took some photos of our yearly tamale making tradition. I asked my grandma and mom why we make tamales every year and my mom said “because it’s a family tradition.” My grandma jokingly said “I don’t know because we’re crazy!” It just doesn’t feel like Christmas without unwrapping tamales on Christmas Day.



[…] I’ve written about our tradition in the past. In case you missed it, you can check it out here. Do you and your family have any special traditions that are a must during Christmas? Feel free to […]
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Thank you! ☺ Thank you for the comment and stopping by! Happy Holidays!
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I think it is a great tradition especially including three generations.
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It’s not Christmas without them here 🙂 Thanks for checking it out, StephJ!
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Great activity! I have never eaten this before!
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Lol thanks for checking it out! Thanks for the feedback too. I think they were complaining a lot that day. Ha ha.
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Hey Lisa!
I LOVE this!
I’d love to see more like this! I can never get enough of seeing pictures of elders cooking. How bout sharing some of the stories they tell while they are cooking.
Both mom and grandma are such beautiful ladies. Grandma sounds like she is a lot of fun! “We do it because we’re crazy.” LOL.
I see where you get your sense of humor! LOL
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That’s ok
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Wow! That’s different! Thanks for sharing it!
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They call them pasteles… Here is a recipe with pictures:
http://laadorablecocinadesandra.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/pasteles-de-guineo-tradicionales-de.html?m=1
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Wow that’s really interesting!
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Yeah.. I think Puerto Ricans have similar ones,but made with plantains.
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Oh ok! That’s different.
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They seem to add capers,green olives, and raisins.. And they use corn dough like you too. As well as plantain/banana leaves.. You would use corn husks more commonly.
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How do they make them over there?
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This is so typically Central American! I think I’ll make some next year in homage to my partial Panamanian heritage!
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I’ve watched my grandma do it many times. I help them every year. That’s true. Maybe when I have two free days I’ll have to experiment. I’m paranoid to cook them because you have to check them constantly. Eh what’s the worst that can happen besides messing them up? Lol.
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Maybe you would better luck learning how to make them if you get in there with both hands. Then you won’t have a recipe either; you’ll just know. I am salivating.
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I bet!
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Thank you! 🙂 It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it every year!
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What a lovely tradition!
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Both pretty names!!
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Me too! Her name is Genevieve in English. My mom is Cecilia. Thanks Lynn! 🙂
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That is so exciting! I love recipes and traditions like this one! I love your grama’s name, very special! I am sure this wonderful tradition is important to your family and I can see why!
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I know!
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I tried to write down everything but wow! Lol. It takes two days to make them and a lot of ingredients. My grandma was getting impatient too. Lol. One day soon I’ll have to organize these recipes.
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I understand her. She just knows… but you need to know in order to continue the recipe for more generations!
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Oh my! This is truly amazing! what a special tradition! I will be waiting! Tell your mom and grama they are gorgeous!
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I know! It’s a little bit scary. I have to get the recipe! My grandma is the one who has it but it’s in her head! She doesn’t measure anything.
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And now you are the third woman in that circle. That is wonderful, Lisa! 😊
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Oh man bundle up its been cool down here miss 50s but even that I miss the freezing days so I can wear my scarf and hat.
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I love Florida! It doesn’t get too cold here usually but these next two days are supposed to be in the 20s or 30s.
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Awww I miss the snow just sun and rain down here in Orlando
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Yes! He got a lot of toys and clothes! Plus, his birthday was on the 13th so he gets double the gifts! We’re having a birthday party for him tomorrow but idk yet because it’s supposed to snow a lot. If it does I’ll have to cancel it.
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Did your son love his gifts?
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That’s what it’s all about, family!
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We all got great gifts and my babygirl was spoiled and she still is getting more stuff soon 🙂 I spent time with my fiances family and we had so much fun
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That’s good! It was great!
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I agree, Erika. We’ve been making them since I was a little girl. My great grandma started this tradition. She passed away when she was 98.
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Amazing 😍 yours 👨👩👧?
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They were girl! How was your Christmas?
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I agree! Thank you for your comment 🙂
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Thanks Irene! They were very good!
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That is a lovely tradition to be kept up over generations and even with the generations together!
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Omg these looks so yummy 😋😊
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Same here with Irene. Values and traditions.. I guess that’s what family is all about 🙂
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Traditions in families keep the family together. This looks very good.
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YUM!!
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