56 °f
Detroit
EL CENTRAL Hispanic News
  • Home
  • About
    • Introducing the partnership with the Race and Justice reporting Initiative
    • Resources
  • Español
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    Trump’s downfall: Fascist capitalism will do him in

    Trump’s downfall: Fascist capitalism will do him in

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Why Trump will fail

    Why Trump will fail

    Pueblo Yumano

    Pueblo Yumano

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    Centros de ayuda parroquiales enfrentan mayores costos por recortes federales a bancos de alimentos

    Centros de ayuda parroquiales enfrentan mayores costos por recortes federales a bancos de alimentos

  • Community
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

    Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

    UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

    UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

    Ballot drive to end utility political contributions clears state canvassers

    Ballot drive to end utility political contributions clears state canvassers

    Detroit’s EasyPay Payment Plan Enrolls More than 30,000 residents protected from service interruption

    Detroit’s EasyPay Payment Plan Enrolls More than 30,000 residents protected from service interruption

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Movies Under the Stars Season Concludes Friday in Detroit at Historic Fort Wayne

    Movies Under the Stars Season Concludes Friday in Detroit at Historic Fort Wayne

    LIBRE–Michigan Hosted A Back-to-School Giveaway to Empower Latino Families

    LIBRE–Michigan Hosted A Back-to-School Giveaway to Empower Latino Families

  • Featured
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    CHASS Center Honored with Spirit of Detroit Award in Honor of 55 Years of Community Health, Dignity, and Hope

    CHASS Center Honored with Spirit of Detroit Award in Honor of 55 Years of Community Health, Dignity, and Hope

    Gutierrez and cousin Jacob Lozano

    Donut Villa Expands to Second Location Near Ford Rouge Plant

    Candidates Face the People: Southwest Detroit Hosts Powerful Mayoral Forum on Community Priorities

    Candidates Face the People: Southwest Detroit Hosts Powerful Mayoral Forum on Community Priorities

    Fr. David Buersmeyer y Mrs. Judith Brooks de Strangers No Longer / hablan a los participantes de la procesión frente a la oficina de campo de ICE en Detroit / address procession participants in front of the field office of ICE in Detroit. Foto de/Photo by Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic

    Detroit Catholics Walk in Solidarity with Immigrants, Demand Humane Treatment

    Linzie and Jesse Venegas of Ideal Group Recognized as Entrepreneurs Of The Year 2025

    Linzie and Jesse Venegas of Ideal Group Recognized as Entrepreneurs Of The Year 2025

  • Opinion
  • Culture & Arts
    • All
    • World Cultures
    Festivalgoers enjoying the photobooth.

    SWFest: Celebrating Five Years of Creativity and Community

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Pages Bookshop to Host Book Launch and Community Roundtable

    Pages Bookshop to Host Book Launch and Community Roundtable

    Pueblo Yumano

    Pueblo Yumano

    Learning about Art from a Master

    Learning about Art from a Master

    Huastecos Téenek

    Huastecos Téenek

    2025 Kresge Fellows from left-right: Elise Marie Martin, Taurus Burns, Louis Aguilar, Maya Davis, Kimberly LaVonne, Slumdog Visionaire, Marwa Helal, Donald Calloway, Brittany Rogers, Beenish Ahmed, Ivan Montoya, April Anue Shipp, Allana Clarke, Malak Cherri, Anetria Cole. Photo credit: JennyRisher

    Latino Creatives Shine as 2025 Kresge Fellows, Honoring Heritage and Artistic Power

    Tzotziles / BatsiI Winik’Otik

    Tzotziles / BatsiI Winik’Otik

    • World Cultures
  • Latest Issue
  • Past Issues
    • Throwbacks
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • en English
    • en English
    • es Spanish
No Result
View All Result
EL CENTRAL Hispanic News
  • Home
  • About
    • Introducing the partnership with the Race and Justice reporting Initiative
    • Resources
  • Español
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    Trump’s downfall: Fascist capitalism will do him in

    Trump’s downfall: Fascist capitalism will do him in

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Why Trump will fail

    Why Trump will fail

    Pueblo Yumano

    Pueblo Yumano

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    Centros de ayuda parroquiales enfrentan mayores costos por recortes federales a bancos de alimentos

    Centros de ayuda parroquiales enfrentan mayores costos por recortes federales a bancos de alimentos

  • Community
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

    Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

    UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

    UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

    Ballot drive to end utility political contributions clears state canvassers

    Ballot drive to end utility political contributions clears state canvassers

    Detroit’s EasyPay Payment Plan Enrolls More than 30,000 residents protected from service interruption

    Detroit’s EasyPay Payment Plan Enrolls More than 30,000 residents protected from service interruption

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Movies Under the Stars Season Concludes Friday in Detroit at Historic Fort Wayne

    Movies Under the Stars Season Concludes Friday in Detroit at Historic Fort Wayne

    LIBRE–Michigan Hosted A Back-to-School Giveaway to Empower Latino Families

    LIBRE–Michigan Hosted A Back-to-School Giveaway to Empower Latino Families

  • Featured
    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    Senator Slotkin Delivers Federal Honor to CHASS as Funding Fights Loom

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    A Forever Home for Detroit City FC

    CHASS Center Honored with Spirit of Detroit Award in Honor of 55 Years of Community Health, Dignity, and Hope

    CHASS Center Honored with Spirit of Detroit Award in Honor of 55 Years of Community Health, Dignity, and Hope

    Gutierrez and cousin Jacob Lozano

    Donut Villa Expands to Second Location Near Ford Rouge Plant

    Candidates Face the People: Southwest Detroit Hosts Powerful Mayoral Forum on Community Priorities

    Candidates Face the People: Southwest Detroit Hosts Powerful Mayoral Forum on Community Priorities

    Fr. David Buersmeyer y Mrs. Judith Brooks de Strangers No Longer / hablan a los participantes de la procesión frente a la oficina de campo de ICE en Detroit / address procession participants in front of the field office of ICE in Detroit. Foto de/Photo by Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic

    Detroit Catholics Walk in Solidarity with Immigrants, Demand Humane Treatment

    Linzie and Jesse Venegas of Ideal Group Recognized as Entrepreneurs Of The Year 2025

    Linzie and Jesse Venegas of Ideal Group Recognized as Entrepreneurs Of The Year 2025

  • Opinion
  • Culture & Arts
    • All
    • World Cultures
    Festivalgoers enjoying the photobooth.

    SWFest: Celebrating Five Years of Creativity and Community

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    Mayan Kaqchikel

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    “SWFest” to Showcase Local Sound for Fifth Year at Senate Theater

    Pages Bookshop to Host Book Launch and Community Roundtable

    Pages Bookshop to Host Book Launch and Community Roundtable

    Pueblo Yumano

    Pueblo Yumano

    Learning about Art from a Master

    Learning about Art from a Master

    Huastecos Téenek

    Huastecos Téenek

    2025 Kresge Fellows from left-right: Elise Marie Martin, Taurus Burns, Louis Aguilar, Maya Davis, Kimberly LaVonne, Slumdog Visionaire, Marwa Helal, Donald Calloway, Brittany Rogers, Beenish Ahmed, Ivan Montoya, April Anue Shipp, Allana Clarke, Malak Cherri, Anetria Cole. Photo credit: JennyRisher

    Latino Creatives Shine as 2025 Kresge Fellows, Honoring Heritage and Artistic Power

    Tzotziles / BatsiI Winik’Otik

    Tzotziles / BatsiI Winik’Otik

    • World Cultures
  • Latest Issue
  • Past Issues
    • Throwbacks
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • en English
    • en English
    • es Spanish
No Result
View All Result
EL CENTRAL Hispanic News
No Result
View All Result

It’s Tamale Season

In Southwest Detroit You Can Explore a Diverse Offering of Tamales From a Variety of Countries and Regions

Ofelia Saenz by Ofelia Saenz
December 9, 2022
in Community, Food, Local Small Business, Restaurants
Reading Time: 13 mins read
Home Community
ShareShareTweetEmail to a friend
  • Ofelia Saenz
  • Alejandro Ugalde
  • December 8, 2022

While tamales can be found throughout Southwest Detroit year-round, the holidays are synonymous with tamale season. More than any other time of year, the month of December is when families make, eat, buy and share tamales.

Coahuila, Mexico - Prince Valley

Women at Prince Valley Market on Michigan Avenue in Southwest Detroit separate corn husks for tamales.
A worker at Prince Valley Market stocks the shelves with warm to-go bundles.

To keep up with demand, community grocers, restaurants and tamalerias ramp up production of ready- to-eat tamales. According to Prince Valley Market kitchen manager, Brenda Ramirez, her team of women makes more than a thousand tamales each weekday morning.

Mexican tamales are hugely popular in Southwest Detroit. Because of the diverse makeup of the community, tamales can differ in ingredi- ents, style and technique from location to location. Ramirez is from Coahuila in the north of Mexico. The style of masa she uses at Prince Valley Market is moist and spongy with a distinct flavor profile.

BrendaRamirez2
4
5
2
BrendaRamirez_AdileneMartinez_OliviaMeneces_YeseniaGalan_MariaMota_MariaLuna_MariaCornejo
7
1

Oaxaca, Mexico – Caterer Jessica Gómez

Mexican tamales can vary greatly depending on the region. Caterer Jessica Gómez is from Oaxaca, Mexico, where indigenous dishes are typical. She makes tamales cooked in banana leaves.

The tamal in Latin American culture is as iconic as it is ancient. It predates Spanish Colonialism by thousands of years, tracing its origin back to Mesoamerica.

Because they’re so tradi- tional, many people might only be familiar with the recipes they grew up eating with their families. But tamales are as diverse as they are loved. In Mexico alone, there are at least

350 types, according to the “Diccionario Enciclopedico De Gastronomia Mexicana,”
an authoritative resource on Mexican cooking and cuisine. Many of the ingredients that

Gómez uses in her cooking are imported from a specific area in Chiapas.

Commonly, Mexican tamales are made with a meat filling and lard in the masa – but not all. Chipilin tamales are vegan. The leafy green is used in many south- ern Mexican and Central American dishes.

24
22
20
14
17
18
13
12
10
9
4
6
7
23
3
8

Puertorican – Dominican –Rincon Tropical

Mexican tamales aren’t the only varieties Southwest has to offer. Rincon Tropical, located on Michigan Avenue just west of Livernois, is owned by Lisaida Moreno, who is of Puertorican descent, and her husband, Riquelmi Moreno, who is Dominican. Their restaurant serves a fusion
of both cultures, including
a type of tamal known as pasteles en hoja.

A holiday essential, paste- les en hoja are wrapped in banana leaves. The dough is made from green plantain.
It has a savory taste and a moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Pasteles en hoja are usually stuffed with olives and either pork or chicken . To hold their shape they’re wrapped in wax paper and tied with string. According
to Moreno, there is a debate over whether pasteles are best eaten with ketchup or hot sauce.

20
19
18
17
15
12
11
10
9
5
7
8
1
2

Venezuela-Caracas – El rey de las arepas

In Venezuela, tamales are called hallacas. The ingre- dients vary from region to region. Popular Southwest Detroit Venezuelan restau- rant, El Rey de Las Arepas, makes a version from the capital region of Caracas.

The corn dough, pre-cooked corn flour—which is similar to the masa used in arepas— is brushed with achiote, which gives it a distinctive
color and slightly sweet, nutty flavor.

At El Rey de Las Arepas, hallacas are made with a combination of chicken, beef, pork, peppers, olives, raisins and chickpeas layered onto a thin layer of the masa.

The hallacas are then wrapped in banana leaf and tied. Because hallacas are
so time-intensive, El Rey de Las Arepas only makes them
for preorders, and they’re only available through the holidays. During that time, Gutierrez and co-owner Jacqueline Alejandre are joined by Gutierriz’s mother, Zoraida Gutierrez, to help make the hallacas and guide the process.

27
26
25
20
21
22
23
19
18
17
16
14
15
10
9
8
4
6
7
3
2
1

Ofelia Saenz is a native of Southwest Detroit and a writer, marketer and food entrepreneur. She writes about entertainment, arts, culture and other human-interest stories for EL CENTRAL. 

Alejandro Ugalde (Kopalli Media) is a Mexico City immigrant and visual storyteller with a deep love for Detroit and its multiculturalism.

Previous Post

Attention Detroit Artists: Detroit Creative Space Needs Survey

Next Post

Mañanitas a la Virgen

Ofelia Saenz

Ofelia Saenz

Related Posts

City Council Historic Designation Advisory Board to nominate Bagley-West Vernor Historic District
Community

City Council Historic Designation Advisory Board to nominate Bagley-West Vernor Historic District

by Michael Gutierrez
September 4, 2025
0

Detroit’s Bagley-West Vernor may join the National Register of Historic Places, unlocking tax credits, grants, and recognition for Latino heritage.

Read moreDetails
Community Representatives Selected for DCFC Stadium Community Benefits Process
Community

Community Representatives Selected for DCFC Stadium Community Benefits Process

by EL CENTRAL
September 4, 2025
0

Detroit’s $150M soccer stadium sparks debate. Learn how community leaders and residents are shaping the project’s future in Corktown &...

Read moreDetails
Remembering Ken Jones
Community

Remembering Ken Jones

by EL CENTRAL
September 4, 2025
0

Celebrate the life of Kenneth Ray “Red Rock” Jone

Read moreDetails
Sheffield Touts ‘Progressive’ Agenda in Final Phase of Mayoral Race
Community

Sheffield Touts ‘Progressive’ Agenda in Final Phase of Mayoral Race

by EL CENTRAL
September 4, 2025
0

Mary Sheffield leads Detroit’s mayoral race with a progressive, anti-poverty agenda. Can she become Detroit’s first woman mayor in November?

Read moreDetails
Detroit River Nonprofit Targets Wetlands Loss with Island Habitat Restoration
Community

Detroit River Nonprofit Targets Wetlands Loss with Island Habitat Restoration

by EL CENTRAL
September 4, 2025
0

Discover how Friends of the Detroit River restored Sugar & Celeron Islands, fighting pollution and protecting wildlife in a $50M...

Read moreDetails
The “Woke” Myth: Who should decide what we see, read, and learn?
Community

The “Woke” Myth: Who should decide what we see, read, and learn?

by EL CENTRAL
September 4, 2025
0

Español Abajo “The Museums throughout Washington, but all over the Country are, essentially, the last remaining segment of ‘WOKE,’” Trump...

Read moreDetails
Next Post

Mañanitas a la Virgen

Leave Comment
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Volunteers Needed for Refugee Resettlement in Michigan

Volunteers Needed for Refugee Resettlement in Michigan

February 14, 2024
Southwest Celebrates Cinco de Mayo

Why We Celebrate “CINCO DE MAYO, THE 5TH OF MAY”

May 2, 2024
MSHDA Opens $60 Million MI Neighborhood Applications

MSHDA Opens $60 Million MI Neighborhood Applications

April 4, 2024
Infamous Highwaymen Motorcycle Club Leader Pursues a Second Chance at Life

Infamous Highwaymen Motorcycle Club Leader Pursues a Second Chance at Life

February 1, 2024
Community and RuboFest 2022 

Community and RuboFest 2022 

0
“Vemos a México como un socio igualitario”

“Vemos a México como un socio igualitario”

0
Ford Hispanic and Latino Network Beautifies Clark Park

Ford Hispanic and Latino Network Beautifies Clark Park

0
Editorial Opinion “The Fifth, I take the Fifth”

Editorial Opinion “The Fifth, I take the Fifth”

0
DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

August 28, 2025
Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

August 28, 2025
Festivalgoers enjoying the photobooth.

SWFest: Celebrating Five Years of Creativity and Community

August 28, 2025
UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

August 28, 2025

Recent News

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

August 28, 2025
Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

August 28, 2025
Festivalgoers enjoying the photobooth.

SWFest: Celebrating Five Years of Creativity and Community

August 28, 2025
UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

UNI Launches Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

August 28, 2025
EL CENTRAL Hispanic News

Michigans #1. Oldest. Largest & Only
Bilingual Hispanic News for 33 Years.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Business
  • Classifieds
  • Community
  • Culture & Arts
  • Education
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Español
  • Events
  • Featured
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Latest News
  • Local News
  • Local Small Business
  • Music
  • National News
  • Opinion
  • Others
  • People
  • Politics
  • Resources
  • Restaurants
  • Sports
  • Throwbacks
  • World
  • World Cultures

Recent News

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

DCFC Community Benefits Process Kicks Off in Mexicantown

August 28, 2025
Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

Metro Detroit Youth Find Their Voice in Summer Writing and Photography Camp

August 28, 2025
  • Latest Issue
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Menu Item
  • Created with EyeBreatheDesign

© 2022 EL CENTRAL HISPANIC NEWS

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Catagories
    • Featured
    • Local News
    • Community
    • Culture & Arts
    • Español
    • Music
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Latest Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise

© 2022 EL CENTRAL HISPANIC NEWS