Today marks the Catholic holiday of Día de la Candelaria, known as Candlemas in English.
In Mexico, whoever cuts the Rosca de Reyes on Día de Los Reyes and ends up with the baby Jesus figurine is responsible for bringing tamales for everyone on February 2. Several times I've gotten the figurine while celebrating Día de Los Reyes with our family in Mexico and always get teased that I'll have to come back for a visit soon (with tamales in tow).
Today, we're eating tamales de pollo con mole verde at our house to celebrate. I admit: I bought mine this year from my favorite tamalería, the Tamalli Space Charros. They've got a tamal truck and when they stopped near my house the other day, I just couldn't resist and bought a few for the holiday.
It's also common in Mexico to enjoy your tamales on Día de la Candelaria with an atole. You can check out my recipe for champurrado for a delicious chocolate atole.
We're working on a great recipe for tamales in the test kitchen based on a recipe given to us by a friend who grew up along the Texas-Mexico border. Her mother owns a well-known restaurant and one of the cooks there was generous enough to share their recipe with us. We can't wait to pass it on to you soon!
- How does your family celebrate Día de la Candelaria? What are your favorite kind of tamales?
valentinavitols says
Love it & will do!RT @MauraHernandez ¡Feliz Día de La Candelaria! Are you eating tamales today? https://theothersideofthetortilla.com/201... #latism #latinabloggers
Eva_Smith says
@MauraHernandez Que ricos tamales Maura!
Nelda Rojas says
It's a great day if you didn't get the baby Jesus, but this year I had to pay Tamales for 17 people 😛 the importan thing is having a great time with your family, friends or co-workers.
Maura Hernandez says
Pobrecita! That's a lot of tamales! But you're right – I'd pay for tamales in a heartbeat if it meant I could be with our whole family in Mexico to celebrate. Hope you had a wonderful time eating all those tamales with your family. 🙂
Yuri says
I truly enjoyed reading this! I have always gotten the figurine and never really made or brought tamales for my family to celebrate Dia de la Candelaria, but reading this I feel like I need to start the tradition again because my family is falling downhill on that note. 🙁 I'm going to ask my mom to help me make tamales and I'm goin to look at your recipe and try to make something outta my own :)) thank you!!!
Laura says
That mole verde looks delicious. Do you have any recipes for that or any other mole? 🙂