Guess what! Today is the start of National Vegetarian Week. I bet you didn't know that, did you? I sure didn't and I'm someone who makes an effort to eat vegetarian at least a few times a week. I know that our Latin diet isn't exactly the most vegetarian-friendly. It's not easy to find a lot of vegetables in the Cuban dishes I grew up with, which is exactly why I make an extra-special point to try to balance my diet these days. So this week, in honor of National Vegetarian Week, I'm asking you to do the same. You don't have to go all out and try to be a vegetarian for all seven days, but you'll benefit even from one meal that's healthier, vegetarian and, hey, still Latin! I'll be sharing one with you every day, starting with these squash, black bean and goat cheese vegetarian tamales today. Try them and I guarantee your whole family will fall in love with this nutritious and delicious meal.
Readmore ¿Qué más? Make Good Friday yummy with these Latin-inspired vegetarian recipes
Squash, Black Bean and Goat Cheese Tamales (recipe courtesy of Eating Well)
__Ingredients (for the tamales):
__4 ounces dried cornhusks, see note
Ingredients (for the batter):
1 3/4 cups masa, See note
1 1/4 cups hot water
1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups quick-cooking grits, or cornmeal
1/2-3/4 cup vegetable broth, or reduced-sodium chicken broth
Ingredients (for the filling):
20 ounces frozen winter squash, thawed (about 2 cups; see Tip)
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles, drained
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
Directions:
1. To prepare wrappers: Place cornhusks in a large bowl, cover with hot water and weight with a heavy plate or pan to completely submerge them. Let soak for 30 minutes.
2. To prepare batter: Put masa and 1 1/4 cups hot water in a large bowl; stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Beat ricotta, oil, baking powder and salt in another large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Add grits (or cornmeal) and mix until combined. Add the ricotta mixture to the masa mixture and stir until smooth. Stir in broth 1/4 cup at a time until the batter is very moist and spreadable, but not runny.
3. To prepare filling: Place squash puree in a fine-mesh sieve and gently press on it to extract excess liquid. Transfer to a medium bowl and add beans, chiles and salt; stir until combined.
4. To assemble tamales: Drain the cornhusks and pat dry. Sort through and pick out 16 large, unblemished husks to use as wrappers. Cut about 2 dozen thin, long strips from the remaining husks to use as ties (or use kitchen string instead). Cover the husks and ties with a damp towel to keep moist.
5. Working on a clean surface, unfold one of the large cornhusks so it's completely flat. Spread 1/3 cup of the batter in the center of the husk in a 4-inch square, leaving a wide border at the top and the bottom. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the filling in a thin strip down the length of the batter. Top the filling with 1 rounded teaspoon goat cheese.
6. Bring the two long sides of the cornhusk together, causing the batter to completely surround the filling"but don't fold the sides over the tamale yet. Fold the cornhusk ends in, then fold the sides around the tamale. If a cornhusk splits while you're folding the tamale, just wrap a second husk right over the first and finish rolling. Tie the tamale closed using a thin strip of cornhusk. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 15 more tamales. (You may have a little batter and/or filling left over.)
7. To steam tamales: Fill a large Dutch oven with 1 inch of water. Place a steamer basket in the pot and loosely place the tamales upright in the basket. Cover and steam over medium heat for 1 hour. Check the water level periodically and add more boiling water if necessary. The tamales are done when the batter is firm and easily pulls away from the wrapper.
Tips & Notes:
Make Ahead Tip: The batter (Step 2) and filling (Step 3) will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Steamed tamales will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat tamales in a steamer or in the microwave on Medium power.
Notes: Cornhusks are traditionally used as tamale wrappers. They are sold dried and need to be reconstituted in water to make them pliable enough for tamales.
Masa is ground dried corn treated with lime, sometimes called masa harina or instant masa mix; it is used for making tamales and tortillas. Masa can be found near the cornmeal or flour and dried cornhusks in the produce department of most well-stocked supermarkets or Mexican grocers; both can be found on amazon.com.
Tip: To make your own squash puree, halve and seed one medium acorn or butternut squash. Place, cut-side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven until soft, about 50 minutes. Cool, then scrape out the flesh with a fork. Or simply use frozen (thawed) or canned squash puree. Find frozen squash puree near other vegetables in the freezer section and canned squash near the canned pumpkin.
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Are you planning to participate in National Vegetarian Week? Will you make these vegetarian tamales tonight? Share with us in the comments below!
Image via toosuto/flickr
