If you were planning to start your dieta in February, think again, Mexico is always looking for a way to party, and eat! and February keeps up with the tradition on the Mexican version of the Candlemas. Behold your good intentions, the Día de la Candelaria is the last leg of the Christmas period and one last chance to celebrate with friends and family.
Remember that delicious Rosca de Reyes you tried at the beginnings of January? Turns out that, if you found Baby Jesus on the bread you are responsible to treat your friends with Tamales and Atole, two Mexican foods that are customary for parties.
History
As its usual in Mexican tradition, the Candelaria day is a mix of the Prehispanic culture and the Catholic faith; February marked the beginning of the growing season and indigenous people would bring to their deities maize offerings. Nowadays, feasting on tamales and atole echoes this tradition mixing it as well with the Candlemass tradition of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The most traditional families, (mostly in the villages) will actually buy fancy clothes for Baby Jesus and bring him to the temple but in the largest cities the vast majority stick to the munching part.
The Food
If you haven’t tried tamales, you probably live under a rock or have yet to move to Latin America. Tamales are one of the most traditional and versatile meals you can find in the region. Made of maize dough and steamed in a banana leaf or a corn husk these delicious cakes are a part of one too many breakfasts or dinners in Mexico. The fillings are as diverse as regions are in Mexico, they tend to be spicy (because, #Mexico) but you can also have the sweet ones with custard or raisins. Mole, Green Sauce, Red Sauce, Chicken, Pork, Beef, are some of the most common and nowadays, you can find some fancy ones with goat cheese, huitlacoche and many more inspired fillings. If you are joining a party the author would suggest to bring a good variety, since we all have our favourite. Now where to buy? Everywhere and anywhere! There is a high chance you’ve heard at night a tamalero offering his delicacies from his bike, or you can go to some of the most traditional places, La Flor de Lis comes to mind… If you are trying to try your inner chef you can also try to make them, but beware, tamales are very time consuming and the mixing requires a lot of effort.
Now for the drinks… tamales are supposed to be accompanied with Atole, a sweet maize concoction that is drank throughout the year (specially in cold nights) and might be easier to cook if you want to channel your inner Gordan Ramsay -Recipe Here-. With its corn base, it is traditionally sweetened with piloncillo and it can either be made with chocolate (champurrado in this case) or different fruits. Atole is normally sold with the tamales, so if you already have a tamale guy, ask him, he probably can help you source your atole as well….
You now have everything to celebrate your Dia de la Candelaria, enjoy!
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