14 tamale recipes

A creative fusion filling that brings together Middle Eastern hummus and Mexican tamales. Chickpeas, tahini, garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce blended into a thick paste, then wrapped in corn husks.

Traditional Maya corn and bean tamales with masa flour and slow-cooked beans. A 4-ingredient vegan recipe wrapped in corn husks and steamed for an authentic Mesoamerican meal.

Meatless bulgur tamales wrap a savory filling of cracked wheat, tomatoes, pepper, and brown rice miso inside masa dough and corn husks. A hearty vegetarian Tex-Mex classic with deep umami and no meat required.

Sweet corn and halibut tamales wrapped in fresh corn husks with fresh-cut kernels, cilantro, red bell pepper and a whisper of cornmeal. A lighter, coastal take on traditional tamales that cooks in just 20 minutes.

Crunchy Italian taralli made with white wine and cracked peppercorns. These boiled-then-baked bread rings from Southern Italy are the ultimate snack for antipasto boards and wine night.

A fragrant South Indian curry powder toasted from whole spices: cumin, black mustard, fenugreek, curry leaves, dried chili, and urad dal, ground fresh. Keeps for four months in a jar.

Red snapper fillets wrapped in soaked corn husks and grilled over embers, finished with a spicy orange vinaigrette. A smoky, tamale-inspired technique that keeps the fish juicy and tender.

Traditional Mexican Atole thickened with masa - two recipes in one: wild Blackberry Atole de Zarzamora and Champurrado (chocolate with cinnamon). A warm, nourishing drink served with tamales.

Diced bass mixed with tomato, onion, thyme, and bay leaves, wrapped in mashan leaves and steamed. A traditional Guatemalan fish tamale (tashmul) that's rustic, aromatic, and ready in 40 minutes.

A from-scratch red chile sauce made with dried chile pods, cumin seeds, garlic, and oregano pureed smooth. The essential building block for enchiladas, tamales, and smothered burritos.

Homemade red chili sauce from dried red chili pods, garlic, and salt. Just three ingredients blended smooth for enchiladas, tamales, burritos, and any Mexican dish that needs real chile flavor.

Sole or cod steamed in corn husks with poblanos, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. A Mexican-inspired fish preparation that cooks like a tamale with bright chile flavors and zero cleanup.

Asafetida, mango powder, and black salt distinguish the chat masala from other masalas, giving the blend a sourness that makes it a welcome accompaniment to fresh fruit and other snacks. 'Chat' refers to various snacks and to the North Indian cafes that serve them. Fresh fruit often is sprinkled with lime juice and chat masala. Black salt (which is actually reddish gray), available at Indian food stores, has a distinctive flavor that's quite different from sea salt or table salt. The garam masala is the wild card in this recipe; either one of the (Tamil Nadu Curry Powder or Punjabi-Style Garam Masala) masalas may be used.