Disneyland’s Holiday Tamales – A New Tradition!

Tamales were a staple at Christmastime in my original childhood neighborhood in the city of Orange, CA. One of our dear neighbors and friends made them for everyone on our block at Christmas every year. I looked forward to unwrapping those tamales almost as much as unwrapping my gifts growing up.

We moved away when I was six years old, but the tamales remain one of my fondest memories of my first home.

Another of my favorite memories from my old neighborhood, was standing in the street at night in our pajamas with the rest of the neighbor kids to watch the fireworks display from Disneyland. We lived that close. We visited the park, probably once a year too. I was a lucky kid.

In November, I got to introduce my little girl to that part of my childhood I hold so dear by bringing her to Disneyland for the first time. Even though it’s been almost a month, the memories we made are still fresh in my mind.

Now I’m thinking of introducing her to another part of my childhood – Christmas tamales! I was inspired to do so by none other than the Disneyland Resort itself. Last year they unveiled the new seasonal temptation and tradition: festive tamales stuffed with masa and spices!

Disneyland’s seasonal tamales are the perfect compliment to their newest tradition beginning this year, of extending their Holiday Celebration to include Three Kings Day, also known as Día de Reyes from Jan. 8-12th.
 

 
What a great tradition to start this year with my family instead of the usual ham. Okay, maybe we’ll still do the ham on Christmas Day, and have a few tamales on Christmas Eve. We can always freeze the tamales for later too.
 
A Mouse and a Dream has produced a step-by-step video showing  how to make Disneyland’s delicious tamales…
 

 
You can also print out the official recipe for Disneyland’s chicken or vegetarian tamales at their website.

Do you have a traditional Holiday meal you serve your family every year or do you switch it up?
photo credit: foxflat