The Pioneer Woman Tasty Kitchen
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Vegetarian Tamales

4.66 Mitt(s) 3 Rating(s)3 votes, average: 4.66 out of 53 votes, average: 4.66 out of 53 votes, average: 4.66 out of 53 votes, average: 4.66 out of 53 votes, average: 4.66 out of 5

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Level: Intermediate

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Description

A delicious vegetarian take on a Mexican classic.

Ingredients

  • 1 package Corn Husks (about 40-50 Husks)
  • _____
  • FOR THE DOUGH:
  • 2 cups Masa
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ¾ teaspoons Salt, Divided
  • 2 teaspoons Cumin, Divided Use
  • 2 teaspoons Chili Powder, Divided Use
  • 2-¼ cups Veggie Broth, Divided Use
  • 1 stick Butter
  • _____
  • FOR THE FILLING:
  • 1 whole Zucchini, Chopped
  • 3 whole Green Onions, Chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Oil
  • 1 bunch Cilantro, Chopped
  • 2 whole Roma Tomatoes, Chopped
  • ½ whole Lime, Juiced
  • ½ cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Preparation

Start off by soaking your corn husks in water for at least 30 minutes.

Grab a bowl and add in the masa, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1 teaspoon of both the cumin, and chili powder.

Now add 2 cups of the veggie broth to your mixture and form a dough.

Pop your stick of butter into your mixer and whip it up for a minute or so. Add the masa dough in and mix it up well again. Set your finished dough aside and let’s move on to the filling.

Grab your saute pan and cook up your zucchini, green onions, and garlic on medium heat in the Tablespoon of oil for 2 to 3 minutes.

Now add in the rest of your broth (1/4 cup), the cilantro, tomatoes, lime juice, and the remaining cumin, chili powder (1 teaspoon each) and salt (1/4 teaspoon).

Stir it together and add in the shredded cheese.

Grab one of your soaked corn husks and slather a good amount of the masa mixture on top.

Now, take a spoonful of your veggie filling and place it down the middle third of your tamale. Make sure to leave a bit of space at the ends.

Wrap it up like you would a burrito and tie off the husk. I used another corn husk to tie it up.

Grab a big pot, add about 2 quarts of water and steam those beautiful rolled up veggie delights for about 90 minutes on medium high heat. I didn’t have a steamer that big, so I used my large stock pot and placed my noodle strainer inside of it with the pot cover over the top. Make sure that your tamales aren’t touching the water.

While the tamales are steaming, periodically check your water level to ensure you don’t boil it all away!

Pull one out after 90 minutes and unwrap it to see if it’s cooked through. The masa should be firm.

4 Comments

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molldog on 12.31.2010

Anderuel, I only used about 2 1/4 cup of broth too. It’s probably a typo. You can always add more broth if you feel the masa is too dry.

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Dawn-Renée on 12.27.2010

I am in the process of making this right now (thanks, mommiecooks!)…I think there is a typo on the veggie broth. I’ve read and re-read this recipe, and I can only find that you use 2 1/4 cups of broth, not 5 1/4. Am I missing something? Anyone?

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molldog on 12.20.2010

It’s so great to see a vegetarian tamale recipe!!!
We just made sweet potato with chipotle cheese and black bean tamales this weekend. Can’t wait to try this recipe too.

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kathyinnewyork on 12.20.2010

We lived in El Paso for a few years, we always waited in line at a little tiny shack of a place that made tamales for New Year’s Eve, the line was very very long – – – I think it is time for folks in upstate New York to have some for New Year’s Eve!! Thanks for the recipe

3 Reviews

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Jill on 2.29.2012

I made these with sweet potatoes and mushrooms. They were delicious despite the lengthy prep time. It was well worth it.

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fruitcakesinthekitchen on 3.9.2011

This was a hit! I made this last Saturday night….or should I say I made it all day Saturday and served it Saturday night? It took me a long time to make, but it was worth the effort. I used some chicken, left over from some burritos, and it was excellent. I charred it a little to give it a smokey taste. I made the dough the day before and refrigerated it and I think that worked well and it was one less thing I had to do on the serving day. I loved the way the tie slipped off the husk and opened to this tasty little treat. They were fun to eat and I’ve already had requests to make them again. Next time I’ll add a little more heat. I like things spicy! I had a little trouble determining if they were done and I think I will leave them in the steamer a little longer next time, but the directions were good and amount of dough, corn husks, mix came out perfectly. Very excited to give this a go again!

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molldog on 12.24.2010

I used your recipe for my masa and it was very good. It had so much flavor and it went really well with my sweet potato and pepper jack filling. I can’t wait to make them again with your zucchini filling. Thank you for sharing this great recipe.

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