Is There Any Other Kind Of Leaves We Can Substitute If We Can't Find Corn Husks For Tamale?

Question

Is There Any Other Kind Of Leaves We Can Substitute If We Can't Find Corn Husks For Tamale?

Answer 1

of course, you can use dried banana leaves here is an easy example recipe;

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/00...

Answer 2

yah central american monkey leaves

Answer 3

If you're going to be steaming the tamales, you can use parchment paper. It won't add any flavor but it will work.

Answer 4

I don't know about leaves but you can use parchment paper.

Answer 5

I do not know why you can't use grape leaves or banana or sea weed.. what other are large enough???

the wrap is just to hold it all together while the dough cooks (steams) the meat was cook long ago..

Answer 6

In Mexican cooking I was taught to use corn husks (hojas) for tamales, but my mother-in-law also used tin foil when she ran out.  (Keep in mind she cooks a couple hundred at the time.)

In Central America, they use fresh banana leaves.

The maseca used in tamales is made from corn.  The corn husk adds additional flavor.  The banana leaf adds flavor as well.  

When making tamales, I will give you a tip to getting the most succulent and moist tamales.  When making the maseca dough, drop a small pea-sized amount of prepared dough into a glass of water.  If it sinks immediately, you need to add more stock (or water) to the dough.  The goal is to have it float just below the water line.  When it does, you'll have the moistest tamales you've ever had.    .......make my suegra proud

Answer 7

Do it right vato!

http://www.texmextogo.com/store/PPF/para...

and once you get the right ingredients, check out this PERFECT recipe for tamales! Including exactly how to make beautiful fluffy masa that floats in the water every time...yum.

http://blogwop.blogspot.com/2007/12/tama...

Answer 8

OR aluminum foil.

Answer 9

In some Central American countries they use banana leaves.

I've never had them that way so I don't how the tamales taste.

Answer 10

I used frozen/fresh banana leaves or a good alternative is the Asian Lotus or Bamboo leaves, they give the tamales a nice funky smokey flavour and are huge, so you moisten them and can make a pot full with only a few leaves, they are dried and keep for along time, try them sometime, I have and was very surprised with the results, and they retain the moisture inside the masa filling better.