For someone who never tasted a tamale until this year, I've developed an unreasonable passion for them. Then again, I have unreasonable passions for sushi, Thai coconut soup, injera, vegetable pakoras, and fried lotus buns, and I didn't taste any of those things for the first 18 years of my life. I'm not sure tofu ever passed my lips until I moved out of Los Angeles. Clearly the relationship between early exposure and eventual fondness is all out of wack around here.
I've recently discovered that my very own Berkeley Bowl sells three whole brands of vegan tamales, and at least two of those are delicious. There's Tamale Molly, which I've mentioned before, purveyor of heavenly vegan red chili tamales as well as things I haven't been able to bring myself to try. Chard and shallot tamales? Chard and shallots go in Mexican food? I'll be damned, or at least hesitant. There's also Primavera, purveyor of somewhat larger, spicier, and more conventional tamales. There are delicious vegan versions of the Green Chili and Butternut Squash varieties, although there are also cheesed versions to trick the unwary. I can't currently remember the name of the third brand of tamales, but I'll extend the benefit of the doubt and state that they're probably tasty.
Tamale Molly: 3 small tamales per package for $4ish.
Primavera: 4 large tamales per package for $8ish.
Both: highly recommended for insertion into any mouth of which you may know.
IÂm convinced! If we decide to make ÂMonday Night Fun Night a potluck evening, then I volunteer you for the bringing of those. The fact that IÂm living in Mexico has more or less made it impossible for me to eat Mexican food. Something has crawled up and died in almost every dish.
Posted by: jason at December 31, 2005 08:42 AMMy friend, that is a terrible paradox. You have my sympathy and, if you wish, my tamales.
Hey! Maybe the theme of Monday Night Fun Night should be Things That Jason Should Be Bringing Us, Not The Other Way Around. Tequila and Mexican food and, I don't know, spray paint images of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Gene and Kristen's walls or something.
Posted by: Dianna at December 31, 2005 12:17 PMThat reminds me, everybody, donÂt expect gifts. I made a brave attempt the other day to buy everyone something and I failed to buy anyone something. But since itÂs the thought that counts, mission accomplished. I honestly tried, but I felt stupid trying to decide which piece of crap would look better in somebodypÂs living room than some other piece of crap. And even if it would seem really pretty and authentic to you, I wouldnÂt be able to sleep knowing that it was sold next to a t-shirt that said "One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor."
Posted by: jason at January 1, 2006 10:26 AMYou could bring us your new, deliciously spicy attitude. That would be authentic, in demand, and guaranteed to look good in anybody's living room.
Posted by: Dianna at January 1, 2006 04:26 PMYou know, I decided against saying that Jason would look good in anybody's bedroom too, baby, or anywhere else you want him, because it seemed terribly uncalled-for. Apparently I forgot, as I often do, that here on Cementhorizon you can skip straight past the innuendo stage and just grab any testicle that strikes your fancy. One day I'll learn (and then look out testicles!).
Posted by: Dianna at January 1, 2006 09:41 PMTOTALLY uncalled for, Dianna. Perhaps without me physically there youÂve forgotten that IÂm a real person with real dignity.
(I want your sperm too, Michele).
Posted by: jason at January 3, 2006 01:46 PMturkey baste me!
(i apparently have no personal dignity)
i actually had a dream while in oregon that you gave me some sperm and i was artifically inseminated and then had twins. a boy and a girl. soooooo cute. i dreamed up to them being 2 years old. there was a lot about your boyfriend and then my boyfriend and the house where we all lived togther in SF. basically, i want this dream to come true now and the first step is YOUR SPERM. get cracking, jason. or hand-jobbing, whatever.
Posted by: michele at January 3, 2006 02:38 PMI want them home schooled!
but wait, why do you need me if thereÂs a boyfriend of your very own in this dream? and what does mine look like?
Posted by: jason at January 3, 2006 04:49 PMmine doesn't come along for SEVERAL years. we've got to jumpstart this baby train. yours was hot. skinny, medium height (shorter than you, taller than me), and asian. i had a kid with him too (girl) and then twins again with my boyfriend (boys). so we were going to have 5 kids.
Posted by: michele at January 3, 2006 09:59 PM