Making tamales is a holiday tradition with deep roots in Mexico. Multiple generations gather at Tamaladas each December to catch up and cook together. For the Godinez and Barron families the annual tamale-making marathon is always filled with laughter and lots of masa. This year around 70 family members descended on South Austin, from all over the state and country, bringing pots of pork, beef, chicken and venison to assemble the tasty tamales. Leading the festivities was 86 year old Aunt Eva whose mother started this Tamalada 41 years ago.
Brian Godinez says, “ This holiday tradition began centuries ago, but for our family it started in 1983 with our grandmother (and her Mexican ancestor’s recipes) and her daughter Eva. Now five generations later, this day has become a national holiday for all of us.”
The Godinez/Barron Tamalada typically lasts 8-9 hours. The end result? A deeper connection with family, loads of fun and more than 1500 tamales … each one seasoned with love and wrapped in tradition.