Nacatamal

Nacatamal
Nacatamal in Nicaragua being served and ready to eat
Place of originNicaragua[1][2][3]
Main ingredientsCorn (maize) masa, tomatoes, achiote, chilis, potatoes, banana leaves, Corn husks
Fillings; rice and meat (e.g. pork, turkey and chicken)
Before rolling: an indent in the masa was filled with rice and seasoned pork, and then covered with potato, tomato, fresh mint, olives and a few raisins.
Nacatamal with both banana leaf and aluminum foil wrapping

A nacatamal (Nahuat: Nakatamal, Nakat "meat", tamal "tamale") (Nahuatl: Nacatamal, Nacatl "meat", tamalli "tamale") is a traditional Nicaraguan dish similar to the tamal and to the hallaca.[4][5][6][7][8][9] Nacatamales originated from the Nicarao tribes who inhabited western Nicaragua, its name originates from the Nawat language and translates to 'meat tamale'.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] During pre-columbian times, the Nicarao were using hunted meats like deer and turkey with ingredients such as tomatoes, achiote and herbs to season and increase the nacatamal's flavor before being wrapped in corn husks and steamed. After Spanish conquest, nacatamales were made with introduced meats like pork. They also evolved to include flavorful ingredients like onions and banana leaves replaced corn husks.[17][18] The nacatamal is perhaps the most produced within traditional Nicaraguan cuisine and is typically eaten on the weekend, for dinner, or for breakfast; it is usually eaten together with white bread and a caffeinated drink like black coffee, Coca-Cola or Pepsi. It is common to enjoy nacatamales (plural) during special occasions and to invite extended family and neighbors to partake.

Nacatamales tied in plantain leaves ready to be steamed
  1. ^ "NICA FOOD DIARIES PART 2 THE NACATAMAL".
  2. ^ "Nacatamal".
  3. ^ "Nacatamal".
  4. ^ "THE NACATAMAL IN NICARAGUA A LOCAL DELICACY".
  5. ^ "Catarina Where Nicaraguas Best Nacatamales Are Sold From Homes".
  6. ^ "Its Nacatamal Time".
  7. ^ "Authentic Nicaraguan Nacatamales Recipe".
  8. ^ "Geography of Nacatamal".
  9. ^ "Cooking Class Eating Nacatamales in Someones Backyard".
  10. ^ "THE ACCULTURATION OF THE NICARAO NATIVES IN NICARAGUA".
  11. ^ "The Nicaraguan Nacatamal".
  12. ^ "Five Traditional Nicaraguan Food You Must Try".
  13. ^ "Nacatamal A Taste of Nicaraguan Tradition Wrapped in Banana Leaves".
  14. ^ "Recipes for Nicaraguan Nacatamales".
  15. ^ "THE HIRSHON NICARAGUAN PORK NACATAMAL".
  16. ^ "Nacatamales Are the Fatty, Meat-Filled Tamales of Nicaragua".
  17. ^ "Nicaraguan Nacatamales Recipe".
  18. ^ "Nicaraguan Recipes".