It's the holiday season and that can only mean one thing...
it's time for our tamale sale!

November 28th-December 13th

Our authentic Mexican tamales will be available with
your choice of chicken, pork, or poblano pepper with Oaxaca cheese. 

$15 per ½ dozen and $25 per dozen of each kind

Our Tamale Sale is now over.
Thank you for our interest and be sure to get tamales next year!

Thanks to the generosity of Max's Delicatessen,
  twenty people who purchase $50 or more of tamales will have the chance to win a $25 gift certificate! The more tamales you buy, the greater your chances are for winning! Additonally, one business owner who purchases $50 or more of tamales can win a catered office party for 20!
Click here for drawing details.

Tamales will be on sale online from Monday, November 28th through Tuesday, December 13th.  Pick up on Friday, December 16th from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at ¡HICA!'s main office at 260 F West Valley Ave., Birmingham, AL 35209.

For corporate orders, please call Vanessa at 205-942-5505.

Please contact us with any questions at 205-942-5505 or tamales@hispanicinterest.org.
All sales are final. Orders must be picked up on the 16th.

GRACIAS for Your Support & Happy Holidays!

 

   What is a tamale?

   A tamale, or tamal in proper singular form in Spanish, is a traditional Latin American dish made out of masa (usually corn-based dough) with a filling, typically of beef, pork, or chiles, that is steamed in a corn or plaintain leaf wrapper.

   How are tamales made?

    Tamale-making is a day long process, and thus reserved for the most special of occasions.  The dough, or la masa, is made of cornmeal and lard seasoned with cumin, onions, and chiles.  The dough is complemented by a filing which can range from savory to sweet. The most common varieties are of beef, chicken, or green chile. 

The meat must simmer for hours until extremely tender before being seasoned with garlic, chili peppers, cumin, and other spices.  Likewise, green chiles must be roasted, peeled, seeded, and chopped to create the filling.  The filled dough is then carefully wrapped by hand in a softened corn husk that is steamed before serving. 

Fortunately, given all the labor of love that tamales require, they freeze excellently and can easily be served for future meals. 

Tamales' History in Birmingham

Bruno Mancha started selling tamales from pushcarts downtown in 1926. His oldest son then opened Mancha's Restaurant in the 1960s. The family sold Mancha's in 1998 but many Birminghamiams have memories of the their famous tamales. It brings ¡HICA! great happiness to sell authentic Mexican tamales every holiday season so Alabamians can enjoy delicious tamales while supporting the social, civic and economic integration of Alabama's Hispanic families.


Fun Facts about Tamales!

  • Tamales date back to the time of the Aztecs
  • Tamales can be sweet with fillings such as cinnamon and raisin or fruit
  • There are around 1,000 types of tamales available all around Mexico. Every region has its own variety of tamales.
  • In Mexico, tamales are often eaten during festivities, such as La Candelaria Day (February 2), Mexican Independence Day, the Day of the Dead, Las Posadas and Christmas
  • A Mexican tamale called the zacahuil is three feet long and weighs about 150 pounds, as depicted to the right