A tamal or tamale is a traditional dish from Mesoamerica. The dish is made from either dough or masa which is usually steamed in a corn husk. Keep in mind that the wrapping for this dish is only used to help in cooking it. You can either take this off and use it as a plate when eating tamales. Alternatively, people also completely take off the corn husk when they start eating these.
The recipe for this dish varies slightly depending on where you get them. However, the main ingredients are mostly dried oatmeal which is mixed in with the broth. Tamales taste delicious which is why they are enjoyed by people all around the world.
Although, when making them, one of the most essential ingredients can be the corn husk. Considering this, some people might not have access to these. This is exactly why we will be using this article to provide you with some alternatives that can be used instead of corn husks.
Alternatives To Corn Husks For Tamales
- Banana Leaf
The main reason why corn husks are used to wrap tamales is because of the unique flavor these give to the dish. Considering this, there are many alternatives that you can go for. Though, keep in mind that most of these will not provide you with a flavor similar to corn husks.
This is why it is better that you try searching for these if possible. Alternatively, you can even use fresh corn husks that come with sweet corn. If you are still unable to find these then one of the best alternatives can be using banana leaves. These are used in wrapping food in a wide range of cuisines.
Additionally, just like corn husks, banana leaves also give the dish a unique flavor. Although, the downside to these is their limited availability. It can be quite difficult to find banana leaves which is why most people decide to go for other alternatives.
Although, in case you do find these then you will notice that banana leaves can be quite inexpensive. Additionally, just like using corn husks, you will have to take banana leaves off your tamales as well. This is because of them not being edible and the leaves are only used to add flavor to the dish.
- Parchment Paper
Another great substitute that you can use when making tamales is parchment paper. The best thing about these is how easy it is to purchase them. Parchment papers or also known as vegetable parchment are mostly used for wrapping food.
Additionally, people even use this when baking stuff in their oven. This is because of the paper having properties like grease resistance and non-stick. Aside from this, parchment paper can usually be found in two different colors. These include white as well as a brownish color.
Considering all this, the paper is available in most stores and is also quite cheap. You can easily use this instead of corn husks to prepare your tamales. Even the wrapping process should be easy. But the only downside to using parchment paper is its lack of flavor.
Your tamales will not taste the same as they should when using this as the wrapping. However, if you properly season your ingredients and cook them carefully then they should still taste delicious. Considering this, you must focus on the cooking process when making your tamales if you are thinking about substituting the wrapping.
- Chard
Finally, one option is to use Chards or also commonly known as Swiss chards. These are green vegetables that look like a leaf. Considering this, these can be used to substitute corn husks without any issues. Additionally, most people already use these as an alternative because of how easy it is to find them.
Another great thing about using these is that you can even eat them with your tamales afterward. Chards can be quite tasteful if you enjoy eating green vegetables. On the other hand, if you are still having trouble trying to find the substitutes mentioned in this article.
Then you can simply use aluminum foil as a wrap. But it is mostly recommended that you try using these alternatives instead because of the flavor they add to your tamales.