A tamale is a traditional Mexican food made by wrapping seasoned masa (a dough made from corn) around a filling, then steaming the whole package inside a corn husk. The filling might be chicken, pork, cheese, beans, or even something sweet like fruit or chocolate. After steaming, you unwrap the corn husk (which you don't eat) and enjoy the soft, flavorful inside.

Making tamales takes time and skill. The masa needs to be spread just right on the husk, the filling carefully placed, and the whole thing folded properly so it doesn't fall apart during cooking. In many Mexican and Mexican-American families, making tamales is a group activity, especially around holidays, with different people handling different steps: spreading masa, adding fillings, folding, and steaming.

People have been making tamales for thousands of years. Ancient Mesoamerican warriors and travelers carried them because they stayed fresh and were easy to eat on the go. Today, you'll find tamales at Mexican restaurants, food trucks, and family gatherings throughout Mexico and the United States.