ASmith1946 wrote:
>
> >Is there any eviden ce tamales were used by the ancient indians of
> >Mexico/Latina and South America?
> >
>
> There are numerous references in Bernardino Sahagún's Florentine Codex, which
> is the best single source of pre-Columbian Aztec cookery. Here's one reference:
>
> "White tamales with beans forming a sea shell on top; white tamales with maize
> grains thrown in; hard, white tamales with grains of maize thrown in; red
> tamales with beans forming a sea shell on top; tamales made of a dough of maize
> softened in lime, with beans forming a sea shell on top; tamales of maize
> softened in wood ashes; turkey pasty cooked in a pot, or sprinkled with seeds;
> tamales of meat cooked with maize and yellow chili; roast turkey hen; roast
> quail."
>
> Andy Smith

Does he go on to explain what 'hard white tamales' are?
The tamales made of maize softened in lime or wood ashes correspond to
modern tamales; are the others similar to what is cooked now?

But they all sound fantastic! *sigh* Didn't take the time to make
tamales this past Christmas/New Year.