Tamales,  A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

One of the traditional dinners during late December to celebrate the holidays are tamales.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

There are families for whom making tamales for Christmas dinner constitutes a whole ritual.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

But there are times when they must resort to buying them because they do not know how to prepare them or do not have time to, as it is an exhausting process.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

If that is the case, there are options where Laredoans can get this traditional Mexican dish.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

When the indigenous people needed a hearty food that could be prepared ahead of time and easily transported for their army, they crafted tamales.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

As the various armies conquered lands across Latin America, tamales spread to other countries. Today, they are eaten in every country in Latin America.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

Lidia Torres, owner of Tamalería Lidia, recently discussed how they help Laredo families continue this tradition.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

“We come from Nuevo Laredo, and my mother, María Calderón de Muñoz, used to sell tamales on special dates like Candlemas Day, Day of the Dead, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Christmas or New Years,” Torres said.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

Me and my siblings used to help her prepare and sell them, and she taught us everything there is to know about making tamales.”

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

Torres said that her family then used to make Christmas dinner on Dec. 25 because of the amount of work they had for Christmas Eve. She said that in 2004, when they immigrated to Laredo, she continued selling tamales here.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

“I started knocking on doors offering tamales,” Torres said.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

“I went to offices, clinics -- I sold about 10 dozen which helped me pay for a bill. We started to grow, and I set up a sales location in Arkansas, then on Zapata Highway, and finally, during the pandemic, we moved to our current location at 3301 Chacota.”

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

Torres added that her business sells tamales all year long, but during the celebration of Candlemas Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, sales increase.

Tamales, A Great Celebratory Mexican Tradition

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