To eat a tamale correctly, follow these steps:
- Unwrap the husk: Tamales are traditionally wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves for steaming, but these wrappers are not edible. Carefully peel off the husk and discard it before eating
- Eat the masa and filling: Inside the husk is the soft corn masa dough filled with meat, cheese, vegetables, or sweet ingredients. Eat this part only
- Use hands or utensils: Tamales were originally designed to be eaten by hand, but using a fork and knife is also acceptable, especially if you want to add sauces or avoid messiness
. Some purists prefer eating tamales by hand as the authentic way
- Add toppings if desired: You can enjoy tamales plain or enhance their flavor with toppings such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, queso fresco, or hot sauce. Sweet tamales can be paired with vanilla ice cream or enjoyed with hot chocolate or coffee
- Eat while warm: Tamales are best enjoyed hot or warm. If they have cooled, reheat them by steaming, microwaving with a bit of water, or even pan-frying for a crispy finish
In summary, unwrap the tamale, eat the soft masa and filling inside, optionally add toppings, and enjoy warm either by hand or with utensils according to your preference
