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Turkey & Cranberries in a Tamale?

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Turkey & Cranberries in a Tamale?

Turkey & Cranberries in a Tamale?

When I first thought of it, it sounded weird even to me. Back in November 2008, we were getting ready to open our doors for the first time. I wanted to do something unique for Thanksgiving. I thought, why not Turkey & Cranberries? See the full story below, the results well, they are fantastic...

It was early November 2008 when Sherry and I were preparing to open Tucson Tamale. I had the recipes for our first 5 tamales. We had the Christmas Tamales covered, but I wanted something that said 'THANKSGIVING'! I started to brainstorm this Thanksgiving Tamale.

So, naturally, my mind went to turkey. I got an 18-pound turkey, gave it a nice rub of sea salt and pepper and popped it in the oven. While it roasted, I contemplated, the masa is made of corn, cornbread makes a great stuffing, so I thought about mixing the turkey in with a mirepoix; celery, onions, and carrots. The base was ready.

Of course, this whole time the kitchen is filling with the aroma of roast turkey and the mirepoix. The turkey was ready, I let it cool, then got all the good meat of the turkey, chopped it as to be bitesize.

I then mixed the turkey with the mirepoix. I made a few tamales. They were okay, Lovey fresh roasted turkey, the heavenly smell of stuffing, but something was missing. Sage! I didn't add any sage to it. I love a good stuffing with sage.

The next batch I added the sage, it worked, it worked really well. The masa now tasted just like the cornbread stuffing I grew up on. But still, it could be better, something was still missing.
 
I actually went and googled a picture of a Thanksgiving dinner. I looked at the table. What was there? Turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes, green bean casserole, yams, cranberry sauce, and bread.

Had the turkey and the stuffing down, mash potatoes? No. Green beans? No. Yams? That's another tamale... But what about the cranberry sauce? Well the sauce I didn't think would work, so what about whole cranberries? Sure, let's give that a shot.

I drove over to Safeway and picked up a bag of cranberries. I put a few cranberries in the next batch and the results were even better than I hoped for. The tartness of the cranberries was the element that was missing.

So the Thanksgiving Tamale was born and it has been a huge hit ever since.

There's still time to get yours for Thanksgiving.

Also, it's not to early to get your holiday tamale gifts ordered, we ship to all 50 states, so there's no reason to not have the best tamales ever...

Add a little zest to your holiday meals with our line of organic pepper sauces.  Our bright and zesty jalapeño, smokey rich chipotle, and flavorful habanero hot sauces are now on sale for the holiday season. 




11 Responses

Doreen Dobzewitz
Doreen Dobzewitz

April 12, 2023

YUMMY YUMMY.!!!. Just stopped by Oracle store and picked up a couple Thanksgiving Tamales for dinner before they’re gone. OMG they are the best, so delicious. Get your fix now and don’t miss out!

Eva de St. Croix
Eva de St. Croix

April 12, 2023

When will the turkey and cranberry tamales be available to order?

Cathy S
Cathy S

April 12, 2023

Oh man, I am hoping to be early enough this year to get them. Are they coming soon?

wendy Seitz
wendy Seitz

April 12, 2023

Turkey tamales please!

karen franssen
karen franssen

September 02, 2022

When oh when oh when will the turkey and cranberry tamales be back? I’ve waited an entire year

Julie M Duran
Julie M Duran

September 02, 2022

I could not find the turkey cranberry tamale on your site. When will you be selling them?

Sandra S Patterson
Sandra S Patterson

September 02, 2022

Thxsgiving tamales are the best! How soon do you take orders ?

Karen Franssen
Karen Franssen

September 02, 2022

The turkey “Thanksgiving” tamales are the best thing that ever happened to Turkey. Last year I placed a small order with the intention of ordering again — small freezer — but they sold out. I was so sad. I’m thinking about buying a freezer for my garage just for Tucson Tamales. I will be first in line this year!

Elizabeth Allen
Elizabeth Allen

September 02, 2022

Can I still order 2 doz Thanksgiving tamales? I live in tucson and can pick up. Thanks

Cindy
Cindy

September 02, 2022

Ohhh I soooo miss Arizona and your delightful tamales. I’m living in Anguilla, a small island in the Caribbean and wish I could have them shipped in, however the shipping service is so unreliable I fear I would be disappointed. Lucky for my daughter and her family in Minnesota, when I get a craving for Tucson Tamales I order some for her. I guess you could say, I’m eating them vicariously through them.

Cat
Cat

September 02, 2022

We are completely obsessed with your Thanksgiving tamales! We check the website for them regularly. I hope that we will be able to ship them in this year. Thank you for this delicious tradition!

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