Which Historical Foods Do We Still Eat Today?
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Tamales
Tamales are a traditional dish of Mesoamerican cuisine, which covers Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, northern Costa Rica and Mexico. They consist of corn-based dough, and are usually filled with various ingredients. They're wrapped in corn or banana leaves, and are then steamed or boiled.
The food dates back to the ancient indigenous cultures of the above mentioned regions, such as the Mayans and Aztecs. It's estimates that tamales were invented and began to be consumed around 5000 B.C.
During that period, corn was a fundamental crop in the Mesoamerican diet, and was used in many dishes of time. Tamales emerged as a practical way to use corn, since they could be prepared in large quantities and preserved for a long period of time.
Over the centuries, tamales have remained an important part of the region's cuisine and culture. Different variations of tamales have been developed over time, with different ways of preparation according to region and local culinary tradition.
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