Tis’ the season to come together and celebrate traditions that connect us to our past and propel us into our future. Now is the time to put on “When it’s Christmas Time in Texas” by George Strait and make memories with friends and family. My boyfriend’s family has generously brought me into their traditions of tamales and buñuelos, which they have been making for generations. Growing up in Texas I have been blessed to know the deliciousness of tamales but introducing them to new family members can be a memory on its own.
My cousin was introduced to the dish by accidentally biting into the corn husk that’s meant to be unwrapped. It still gets brought up every Christmas as we sit down to enjoy homemade tamales made by the ladies of the family. Tamale-making is a labor of love but a perfect time to sit down together with multiple generations and share stories. If your family doesn’t practice the tradition of making tamales, this is the perfect season to support local restaurants and order a dozen to bring to the family potluck.
If you see someone selling tamales in a parking lot or on the side of the road, I promise you those will be the best you’ve ever had. No matter what makes it to the table on Christmas Day, it’s who’s sitting around the table that means the most. From my family to yours, Feliz Navidad!
