If you’ve ever visited Colombia or been to a Colombian party, especially during the Christmas season, or even have a Colombian friend, then you’ve probably tasted a tamal of some sort. Tamal is one of the most popular dishes at Christmas and at New Year’s Eve parties.
In Colombia we use different types of masa, fillings, and wrapping methods, depending on the region of the country. While ingredients and preparation vary, the one thing they all have in common is that they are wrapped with banana leaves.
If I had to choose just one food to eat for the rest of my life, a Colombian tamal would be a strong candidate behind the popular Bandeja Paisa. I really don’t think I could get tired of flavorful masa or rice, stuffed with different kinds of meats, vegetables and spices, then wrapped in a banana leaf. It is an extremely comforting and filling dish and one of my absolute favorites.
Here are 6 Colombian tamales recipes from this blog. I am planning on posting other variations soon. Buen provecho!
1. Tamales Antioqueños (Antioquia Region Tamales) {see the recipe}
2. Tamales Santafereños o Bogotános (Santa Fe Region Tamales) {see the recipe}
3. Tamales de Pipían (Pipían Tamales) {see the recipe}
4. Hallacas o Hayacas Guajiras de Pollo (Chicken Hallacas) {see the recipe}
5. Tamales Tolimenses (Tolima Region Tamales) {see the recipe}
6. Pasteles de Arroz o Tamal Costeño (Rice Tamales) {see the recipe}
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Liliana says
I can’t be more excited to have found your site! I’ve been missing my parents cooking .I currently live in France while my Colombian parents live in NY, and now I can finally get back to some home cooking!
Kelly M says
I’m as southern as they come…Georgia all the way. So marrying a Colombian from Medellin has had its adventures. I love to cook for my husband and your site has helped me bring a little bit of home for him to Atlanta. Arepas are my new specialty and I’m in the process of planning his birthday dinner with recipes from your menus. Thanks for making this so easy for me and so delicious for him.
Shelia Escobar says
A mi me gustaba todo las comidas de Colombia. Soy Americana pero era casada con un tipo de alla de Bogota por 17 año y te cuento que no me demore nada aprendi todo en parpatadas…..quiere decir en minutos….sonrisas…Me facine. Bastante viviendo en Colombia por 8 año mas que nada la comida y la gente son muy gentiles y amables. Yo se cocinar todo las recetas alla tambien y eso para mi es un orgullo.
Cristina says
I am looking for a Colombian tamel recipe that is made of white masa and wrapped in white type of tamel paper and wrapped with string. The proteins in it are a piece of pork, chicken, piece of pork fat and a green olive. No potatoes or any other type of veggie. My mom used to make these and she is now too old and fragile and can’t remember the the recipe. And she never wanted to teach us kids how to make them, she wanted to have the pleasure of making them as a special event for us….and it was….I was always so excited to eat these. Anyone have this recipe??? I would love to try to recreate my childhood in this recipe!
Thank you in advance for any help finding this recipe!
Ivan R. says
vegetarian Colombian tamel ??????