Support Tamalita Ministries Through Real Estate Referrals

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This was such a special moment for me—our very first Nana’s Tamale Making Festivity, inspired by the deep-rooted tradition of the tamalada—a beloved New Mexican tamale-making party. Years ago, back in Texas, when I first opened my restaurant, George, our close friends, and I hosted one of our first tamaladas. If you’re not familiar, tamaladas are festive gatherings held around Christmastime where families come together to prepare, cook, and enjoy tamales as a way to celebrate love, heritage, and connection.

Though our tamalada this year was held a bit later in the season, it was exactly what it was meant to be—a celebration of family, friends, laughter, and love—all wrapped in delicious New Mexico-style tamales and chile. 🌶

Growing up, our New Mexican tradition was that all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors would come together for this sacred tamale day. My Puerto Rican side celebrated in similar ways, though not quite as grand—my father's family was smaller, and after his passing when I was just 9, we didn't gather as often. But my mom’s side? Oh, we went all out.

Everyone had a role, from the little ones to the elders.

• Some cleaned and deseeded the chile pods—every single one washed and prepped by hand.
   
• Others rinsed the corn husks outside, leaf by leaf, making sure they were clean, soft, and ready to use.
   
• Garlic, onions, seasonings were chopped. Meat was trimmed.
   
• The masa? Mixed from scratch, by hand—just like I still do it today.
  Then came the long rows of tables, covered with newspapers to catch the mess, and the beautiful assembly line began.
   

In between all the work were stories, memories, and games—Rummy, dominos, laughter, and mariachi music filling the house. The grown-ups would take shots of tequila or sip on beers (a carefree lifestyle that, sadly, led to many health challenges later on), while the kids ran wild, soaking in the smells of tamales steaming and menudo simmering on the stove. The windows would fog up from all the heat, and the love in the room was so thick you could feel it in your bones.

There was no such thing as bedtime on tamale night—if you wanted to eat, you stayed up! And after all that work? You were lucky to go home with a dozen tamales. But waking up to a hot, fresh tamale the next morning? Pure heaven.

These gatherings were more than meals—they were a testament to our Catholic faith, our New Mexico heritage, and the sacred bond of family. I can still feel the love of 3–4 generations gathered together under one roof, working, laughing, and honoring traditions.

If I could do it all again, I would in a heartbeat. Those were the days of real values, Rancheras, first love, and my beautiful Momma—who I miss every single day. 💜

This tamalada was not just about making tamales—it was about reconnecting with that love, that legacy, and sharing it with others. And now, with Nana’s Tamales and Tamalita Ministries, I hope to keep this tradition alive, while also breaking generational curses like addiction, and creating new memories rooted in healing, family, and faith.

I love you, Mom. Thank you for showing me what real love, hard work, and tradition look like.

— With love,
Chef Nana ~ Michelle Ann