Celebrating the Feast of Candelaria with Tamales and Candles a Family Tradition

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February 2nd marks a special celebration known as the Feast of Candelaria (AKA as Candlemas), a significant event in the Catholic calendar. This day, also referred to as Día de la Candelaria, brings together a vibrant mix of cultural, religious, and culinary traditions. One of the most cherished customs particularly in Latin America involves the preparation and sharing of tamales, along with the symbolic act of taking candles to the church for blessings. 

This feast truly begins on Epiphany day when families gather to enjoy the delicious 'Rosca de Reyes,' a sweet bread containing tiny figurines representing Baby Jesus. The person who discovers a Baby Jesus in their slice of Rosca is considered blessed, and it becomes a tradition for that person to be in charge of making tamales for the Feast of Candelaria.

Let me tell you a little bit more about this tradition on February 2nd, highlighting the importance of tamales and the ritual of bringing candles to the church.

The Feast of Candelaria:

The Feast of Candelaria is a continuation of the Christmas celebrations, specifically tied to the presentation of Jesus at the temple. In Mexico and in some other  Latin American Countries, this day holds great cultural significance, blending indigenous and Catholic traditions to create a unique and festive atmosphere.

Tamales: A Culinary Delight:

One of the central elements of the Candelaria celebration is the preparation and sharing of tamales. Tamales are a traditional Mesoamerican dish made of masa (corn dough) filled with various ingredients, such as meats, cheeses, chilies, and other flavorful additions. The preparation of tamales often involves a communal effort, bringing families and communities together to create these delicious parcels of joy.

Families gather to knead masa, fill husks, and steam tamales to perfection. The variety of fillings reflects regional tastes and family recipes, making each batch a unique culinary creation. Sharing tamales during the Feast of Candelaria symbolizes unity, community, and the joy of coming together to honor tradition.

Candle Blessings at the Church:

Another integral part of the Candelaria celebration is the ritual of taking candles to the church for blessings. Devotees bring candles of various sizes and shapes, often adorned with colorful ribbons and decorations. These candles represent the guiding light of the Virgin Mary and are believed to bring protection and blessings to the households.

In a ceremony held at the church, the candles are blessed by the priest, infusing them with a spiritual significance. The blessed candles are then taken back to homes, where they may be lit during family prayers or placed in a prominent location as a symbol of divine protection.

The Fusion of Culture and Faith:

The Feast of Candelaria beautifully exemplifies the fusion of indigenous traditions and Catholicism in Latin-American culture. It is a testament to the resilience of cultural practices, adapting and evolving over centuries while maintaining a deep connection to spirituality and community, and I am very happy that while I made this delicious tamales I can bring this tradition to my family even we live here in the United State.

The celebration of the Feast of Candelaria is a captivating blend of culinary delights and religious rituals. Tamales, with their rich flavors and communal preparation, represent the heart of this celebration, while the blessing of candles at the church adds a spiritual dimension. Through these traditions, many families from different Latin American Countries honor their cultural heritage, strengthen community bonds, and express their faith in a unique and vibrant way. As February 2nd approaches, homes and churches will be filled with the warmth of tamales and the flickering glow of blessed candles, creating a tapestry of tradition that continues to weave the fabric of  Latina American  identity.  

You can watch the video on how I make these delicious spinach and meat tamales using blue corn flour.  If you don't have access to blue corn masa harina you can use any corn masa you have available. 

 

Blue Corn Masa Tamales Prep time: 45 min          Steamed  cook:  90 min              Servings: 28 tamales Ingredients: *  1 1/2 cup lard *  2 tbsp baking powder *  4 cups blue corn masa ( any corn masa will work as well)  *  2 tbsp sea salt *  5-6 cups  hot chicken or beef broth *  30 corn husks * Fillings: spinach, meat, chicken, beans, cream cheese, etc. Procedure: Steamer: In a steamer, place a coin and fill it up with water. Lay a bed of husks and start heating it at low heat. 1) The night before you plan to make these tamales, soak the corn husks in water so that they can soften 2) Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the lard at medium-high speed for 10-12  minutes until it forms soft peaks, stopping the mixer now and then to scrapes the sides of the bowl.  3) Add the baking powder and salt and mix for an additional 1 minute. 4) Change the whisk to the paddle attachment and gradually add the flour, starting at medium-low speed and increasing it to medium-high as the batter becomes harder to work with. Start adding the broth and continue mixing until the dough has a similar texture to hummus or a thick cake batter. This will take from 15-17 minutes.  5) Drain all the water from the husks.  6) Unfold the husks and spread about 1 1/2 tbsp of the batter, then add the filling of your choice and wrap the husk to form a tamale. 7) Arrange the tamales standing up in the steamer, covering them with more husks. Place plastic film and a kitchen towel on top. Cover with a lid and steam the tamales for 90-100 minutes or until they appear cooked and can be easily removed from the husks. You can watch the video procedure here: Blue corn tamales