TAMALES DE FRIJOL (OAXACAN BLACK BEAN TAMALES)

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Tamales de Frijol (Oaxacan Black Bean Tamales) image

On special occasions, such as saints' days, Alfonso Martinez prepares a special style of black bean tamal traditionally made by Zapotec communities in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca. A simple, puréed bean filling is carefully folded in a round of masa that's been squished with a tortilla press or flattened out by hand, and this process creates a delicate, layered package that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Mr. Martinez reaches for heirloom Oaxacan beans, though any variety of dried black beans that ends up tender will work well. And even though avocado leaves are traditionally used to sandwich the tamal inside the banana leaf wrapper, he says hoja or yerba santa leaves can also be cut to size to impart their herbal flavor. (Watch Mr. Martinez prepare Oaxacan tamales de frijol.)

Provided by Tejal Rao

Time 5h

Yield About 30 tamales

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound dried black beans
1 large white onion, halved
1 garlic head, cloves peeled
2 fresh or dried avocado leaves (see Tips)
1 tablespoon fine salt, plus more to taste
2/3 cup olive oil
4 pounds banana leaves, thawed if frozen
6 pounds fresh masa for tortillas (12 cups; see Tips), at room temperature
2 tablespoons fine salt
60 fresh or dried avocado leaves (see Tips)

Steps:

  • Make the filling: In a large bowl, cover the beans with cold water by about 2 inches and soak overnight. The next day, drain the beans and transfer to a large pot. Add the onion, garlic, avocado leaves, salt and enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, skimming any foam, until the beans are very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  • Cool for 15 minutes, then set a large strainer over a large bowl and drain. Transfer the beans, onion, garlic and 1 cup cooking liquid to a blender or food processor. Blend, adding more liquid as needed to get the machine going and to form an almost smooth puree. The consistency should be soft and spreadable, but not soupy. Season to taste with salt and cool to room temperature. Discard the avocado leaves and any remaining cooking liquid.
  • While the beans cool, prepare for tamales: Heat the oil in a small saucepan until just smoking, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool completely. If you don't have plastic rounds for a tortilla press, cut off the edges of a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag to form two 10-inch squares of plastic. If you don't have a press, get out a heavy flat-bottomed large skillet.
  • Heat a banana leaf on a griddle or large flat pan over high heat, turning and pressing flat until pliable and shiny, 15 to 30 seconds. Transfer to a work surface. Repeat with the remaining leaves, stacking them to keep them all warm and soft.
  • In a large bowl, tear the masa into smaller chunks then add the salt and gradually add the cooled oil while kneading in. Continue kneading with both hands by punching down the mixture, then squeezing it between your fingers before gathering it into a mass and pushing it back down. Knead until the oil isn't visible and the masa is very smooth and soft.
  • Assemble the tamales: Roll a 1/3 cup masa into a ball and flatten between the plastic by hand into a 1-inch-thick disk. Press in a tortilla press or against the counter using a skillet to form a tortilla-thin round (scant 1/8-inch-thick). Peel off the top plastic, keeping the masa on the bottom piece. Spread the bean filling evenly over the masa's entire surface in a thin layer (about 3 tablespoons). Using the plastic, lift the left edge and fold an inch in towards the center, then peel back the plastic and flatten it against the counter. Repeat on the right. Spread filling over the folded edges (about 1 teaspoon per side). Using the plastic, lift up the bottom third and fold it over the center as if folding a letter. Cover with filling (about 1 teaspoon), then use the plastic to lift the top and fold it over to enclose. Center an avocado leaf on top. Place the tamal upside down on a soft banana leaf and place another avocado leaf on top. Trim the leaves to fit if needed. Wrap in the banana leaf, folding in one long side, then the bottom, then the other side and rolling to enclose the end. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  • Fit a steamer or colander into a large, deep pot and add enough water to almost reach its bottom. Stack the tamales flat in the steamer, leaving an empty space in the center. Cover with the reserved remaining banana leaves and then the lid. Bring the water to a boil and steam, replenishing with hot water as needed, until the masa is cooked through, about 1 1/2 hours. To test, unwrap a tamal and cut through the center to make sure there's no raw masa.
  • Keep warm in the steamer off the heat until ready to serve. After unwrapping, the avocado leaves should be discarded before eating. The tamales can be cooled completely, then wrapped individually and frozen for up to 6 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then resteam in the banana leaves or unwrap and pan-fry in oil until hot and crisp.

Mehar Sadam
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These tamales were just okay. I've had better.


Jean c Pagan
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These tamales were amazing! I will definitely be making them again.


Philip Chibuike
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I'm allergic to beans, so I made these tamales without them. They were still really good!


l2 drift
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These tamales were a bit too greasy for my taste, but the flavor was good.


Abdi Kasim
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I'm not a fan of tamales, but I tried these and they were actually pretty good. The masa was moist and the filling was flavorful.


uhorka Luke
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These tamales were delicious! I especially liked the spicy sauce that came with them.


Layne Cooper
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I loved these tamales! The black beans and cheese were a great combination, and the masa was cooked perfectly.


Swaleh Ali
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These tamales were a bit dry, but they were still tasty. I think I'll try adding more liquid to the masa next time.


Qhamani Hamza
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I've made these tamales several times now and they're always a hit. They're perfect for parties or potlucks.


Khalis Din
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These tamales were a bit time-consuming to make, but they were definitely worth it. They were so delicious and everyone at my party loved them.


Kundan Mandal
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I'm new to making tamales, and these were so easy to follow. They turned out great! I'll definitely be making them again.


Money Sights
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These tamales were amazing! The masa was so moist and flavorful, and the filling was perfectly seasoned. I will definitely be making these again.


Barbara Bennett
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I was really looking forward to trying these tamales, but I was disappointed. The masa was dry and the filling was bland.


Hannah Abatusi
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These tamales were a bit too spicy for my taste, but my husband loved them. He said they were the best tamales he's ever had.


Israel Eshiet
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I'm not a huge fan of tamales, but these were really good. The black beans added a nice flavor and the masa was cooked perfectly.


Abdul Rasheed Attari Rizvi
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These tamales are delicious! I love the combination of black beans and cheese. They're also really easy to make.


Tapos Kumar
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I've made these tamales several times now and they're always a crowd-pleaser. They're so easy to make and they always turn out perfect.


Ziafat Raja
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These tamales were a hit! I made them for a party and everyone loved them. They were so flavorful and moist, and the black beans added a nice touch of protein.