What's the purpose of having corn husks wrapped in most tamales?

Question

Do people wrap corn husks around the tamales to give it a distinctive flavor or is it to just shape the tamales? Either way, I love the beef tamales and how they are so flavorful. Please explain.

Answer 1

Both. Originally, I have heard the corn husks were used to shape the tamales and hold them together while they cook, but you can not deny, it also adds flavor.

They are AWESOME!! I agree!! :)

Answer 2

You could try this recipe - it looked easy when my mother-in-law made them a couple of weeks ago and tasted great. Jesus's 30 Minute Chicken Tamales Yield: 25 tamales 6 cups Maseca Corn Masa mix for tamales 6 cups Chicken broth 1 cup corn or other vegetable oil (corn will enhance the flavor) 2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 large rotisserie chicken 2 1/2 12 oz jars green tomatillo sauce 1 bag corn husks d i r e c t i o n s Soak; the corn husks in warm water until soft. Blend; Using an electric mixer, blend the masa flour (Maseca for Tamales), corn oil, salt, baking powder and the chicken broth to obtain a consistent mixture. Shred; the chicken and marinate in the green salsa or tomatillo sauce. Spread; masa evenly over corn husks, and spread a spoonful of marinated chicken on top of the masa. Fold; the sides of the corn husk to center over the masa so that they overlap to make along package.Fold the empty part of the husk under so that it rest against the side of the tamale with a seam. Place the tamales in a steamer and cook tamales for 35-40 minutes. Check every 20 minutes.The tamale is cooked when it separates easily from the corn husk.

Answer 3

The corn husks also make the tamales very moist.

Answer 4

It's just the traditional way of holding it all together. Some people use parchment paper now, and they still taste just as good.

The flavor is all about the spices you use. Plenty of cumin and chile peppers.

Answer 5

It keeps them together while cooking.