LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – For many Hispanic families, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without tamales. The tradition of making them, known as a tamalada, is about much more than food, it’s a cherished tradition that brings loved ones together.
This year, the Martinez family is making tamales at a large scale, making over 4,000 pounds of tamales to share with the community. For them, the tamalada is a labor of love, combining hard work with laughter and joy.
Everybody tells jokes, the histories and chismes and everything, and you enjoy that time,” Vivi Martinez said.
Alfredo and Vivi Martinez opened Dona Maria Tamales in 1981. Since then, their family has come together for their annual tamalada to prepare for the rise in demand for tamales during the holiday season.
While the process can be challenging, especially on such a large scale, the Martinez family says it’s worth the effort.
“We work so hard all the time, I mean we love it,” Alfredo said.
The tamalada tradition dates back centuries, it’s a way to prepare tamales and make memories. While the Martinez family is making tamales on a large scale, it’s the same tradition many families honor in their own kitchens.
“Each generation has to be initiated I guess,” said Alfredo and Vivi’s daughter, Neriza Martinez Johnson. “So, we make them do all the hard work and then we’re just like this is wrong or that’s wrong or, you know, so it’s just like passing down what you were taught to the next generation.”
As families across the region enjoy tamales this Christmas Eve, the Martinez family hopes to keep the tradition alive for the next generation.
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