Enjoy the Tamales on Candlemas in Mexico!

 

If you were at a party in any Mexican city during Three King’s Day on January 6th, you probably feasted on a sweet bread called Rosca de Reyes (Spiral of Kings). The bread features tiny figurines inside that are meant to be shared with the group. If you landed the piece with one of the figurines, you must make tamales for everybody at the following celebration of Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria) on February 2nd!

 

Candlemas is celebrated as the “Presentation of Christ at the Temple.” According to Jewish law, it was customary to bring a baby to the temple forty days after he was born.

 

February 2nd also marks the mid-way point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, and because of that, it has long been thought to be a predictor of the weather to come. Remember that in the United Sates, February 2nd is celebrated as Groundhog Day (did you see the famous Bill Murray film?).

 

Back to Mexico, tamales are made out of corn dough that is filled with beef, chicken, pork or beans and wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves that are really delicious. So, enjoy your Candlemas party in Mexico and savor those tamales!