A true blend of Indigenous and European cuisine, tamales are the star dish of Latin America. Get inspired by Chabela Flores and her creative variations of this specialty food. Enjoy the making as much as the tasting because this tour shows you the preparation from start to finish where labour and love mix together.
- 5 hours (10:00 – 15:00) UTC/GMT – 5 hours
- Market and Cooking
- Location: Quinta Tres Marias, Valle Los Chillos, Quito
- Meeting point: Plaza Artigas (Av. 12 de Octubre @ Av. Coruna)
- Price: US$150 per person
- Dates: February 20, March 5, March 16, March 27, April 6
Tamales are originally an Indigenous food from the Americas, made with corn, sweet potato and squash and wrapped in different kind of leaves, like banana, cornhusks or canna leaves. With the European influence, other ingredients have been added to the original recipe producing a true blend of both culinary traditions. Along with empanadas, tamales are probably the most characteristic and recognized dish of Latin America and this tour offers an inspiring journey through the endless varieties of this savory pastry. Prior to the preparation, the first stop will be at the newly renovated Santa Clara Municipal Market to see and learn about the seasonal fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices and assortments of grains and seeds. You will also visit the small shops surrounding the market, which offer a variety of art crafts, such as wooden spoons of all sizes and shapes, clay pots and plates, wicker baskets and ornaments. A private van will take you to a beautiful modern hacienda, Quinta Tres Marias, located in the outskirts of Quito 30 minutes away. Our inspired cook Chabela Flores will be ready to show you how tamales are made, from beginning to end. She will keep you busy all the way through making sure you experience the true excitement of a Latin American kitchen. After all making tamales is a big production in which the whole family gets involved. You will prepare and taste three types of tamales: cauliflower tamal, an interesting variation made with very soft and delicate mashed cauliflower dough and filled with chicken, peppers and fine herbs; quinoa tamal, a delicious and nutritious option made with grounded quinoa and filled with shredded pork meat and peanuts; and quimbolito de maqueño, a sweet tamal served as dessert and made with a variety of banana, filled with cheese, raisins and drizzled with refined passion fruit coulis. Tamales are definitely a culinary art. While you learn the whole process including how to manage the workload by preparing some elements in advance, Chabela will help you “feel” the dough to make sure it’s just right! Add to these tamales home-made picante sauce or aji made with tree tomato juice and you’ll be going to heaven. Complementary fresh-made fruit juice and South American wine will be provided with the meal.
Price covers transportation from meeting point to market visit and to Quinta Tres Marias, Valle Los Chillos and back; all ingredients and food tasting; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to accompany meal, recipes of dishes prepared in tour; small gift. Gratuities are not included.
Tamales Fiesta Menu:
- Cauliflower Tamal
- Quinoa Tamal
- Quimbolito de Maqueño
- Lupini beans Salad
- Aji (home-made picante sauce)
- Fresh-made juice of seasonal fruits
- South American wine
* Please note that wheat, nuts and other ingredients will be used in this tour and may not be suitable for all participants. If you have dietary needs, please contact us before booking to make sure we can accommodate your requirements.
About the chef
chabela flores
Chabela is an inspired cook that loves to experiment with new ideas, ingredients and tastes to produce elaborated dishes…