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Vegetarian Banana Leaf Tamales

Makes 10 tamales

 

1 LB BANANA LEAF, FROZEN OR FRESH

15 EARS UNRIPENED CORN

3 CLOVES GARLIC

1 ONION

1 RED PEPPER, DICED

1 GREEN PEPPER, DICED

2 TBL OLIVE OIL

1 LB SMALL DICED ROASTED VEGETABLES OF YOUR CHOICE

2 TBL RED CHILI SAUCE (OPTIONAL)

4 TBL TOMATO PASTE

1 TSP SALT

 

Method:

REMOVE THE KERNELS FROM THE UNRIPENED CORN AND GRIND UNTIL FINE. SAUTE THE GARLIC, PEPPERS AND ONIONS IN THE OLIVE OIL. ADD THE TOMATO AND CHILI SAUCE. TRANSFER TO A FOOD PROCESSOR AND PUREE. ADD THIS MIXTURE TO THE GROUND CORN. SEASON WITH SALT.

FORM THE TAMALES BY SPOONING 4  OZ OF THE CORN MIXTURE INTO EACH BANANA LEAF. SPOON A SMALL AMOUNT OF VEGETABLES INTO THE CORN MIXTURE. FOLD THE EDGES OF THE BANANA LEAF AND TIE WITH STRING. COOK IN A LARGE KETTLE OF BOILING WATER FOR 1 AND A HALF HOURS.