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March 14, 2008
Hot Tamales
One day last winter, I was walking up what was then a deserted section of 10th avenue in Manhattan. The wind was whipping, and as usual, I was underdressed for the weather. Hatless and gloveless, I hugged the side of the building as I pushed onward. Suddenly around the corner came a steaming little stainless steel cart, pushed by small man with a shining, smiling face, skin browned by a sun I hadn't seen in weeks. I didn't care what he had inside--I wanted some. When he opened the trap door on the top of the cart, one whiff gave it away--Hot Tamales. At $2 each, I bought two and hurried myself to the nearest door stoop to devour them. I opened the scorching plantain leaf to reveal a pillow of spicy-sweet masa stuffed with tender pork and hot green chili sauce. Suddenly my blood rushed with a rich, warm sensation and I sighed into the feeling like a suckling child.
I have since regarded the tamale man as my guardian angel---the one who saved me from both starvation and hypothermia on the same day (okay, so I tend to be dramatic). In the last year, he has appeared before me less than a handful of times, but each time he warms my spirit and my belly in the most nourishing way. I've never thought to ask him his name, always distracted by the decision between pork or chicken, and fumbling through my wallet to see if I have enough dollars to bring a whole bag full to my colleagues upstairs -- but to me it is his face, warm and inviting, gracious and generous, that I'll never forget.
Today, as I rushed into work from the lingering winter outside, tamales came to me from another angel, my coworker, Liz Tarpy. She didn't know my history with the tamale man, but it didn't take her long to recognize her gift was more than just breakfast. We shared the tamales over a guiltless conversation that oatmeal makes a mighty fine and nutritious breakfast.
But some days, nothing but a hot tamale will do.
Sarah Copeland, Food Network Kitchens
Posted by Food Network at March 14, 2008 10:46 AM
Comments
I love this story! It makes me think of my local tamale man:
There is a small Mexican bodega on 30th avenue in Astoria (Qns), b/w 34th and 35th Streets (I think). It doesn't look like much from the outside, and on the inside, it looks like even less: half-stocked dusty shelves and walls of sodas (though a fabulous wall of dried peppers and hard to find South American ingredients). No one shop for what is on the shelves though.
Behind the counter the proprietor makes batches of moles, salsas and other amazing food. The real treat is the weekends: $1 tamales: salsa verde, mole or jalapeno.
Amazing.
Posted by: Stacey at March 14, 2008 5:32 PM
I've never had a tamale for breakfast. How I envy you!
Posted by: Emiline at March 16, 2008 6:40 PM