Friday at the Belmopan Market : Chinese Tamales

CHINESE TAMALE (ZONGZI)

While Walking through the Belmopan food Market looking for something to have for lunch. We came across a brown wooden Food stall, all the way at the end. We spotted an elderly Asian woman cooking something in a large pot in the back (with an amazing aroma ascending from it) and two younger women adding the finishing touch to the dishes of noodles, rice, and –what looked to us—like a strangely shaped TAMALE, wrapped in a plantain leaf, tied with string, and shaped like a small pyramid.

Looking at the menu nailed to the inner wall of the stand, we saw a dish listed as “Chinese Tamale” – something that we had no other choice but to try. Something that changed my concept of “tamales”…

Traditionally in Central America, tamales are a Mayan/ Mestizo food, usually made from Masa Maize (Ground corn), Cull, Recado Rojo, and stuffed with chicken, pork, or chaya, wrapped up in a plantain leaf, and cooked over a fire hearth. This delicious dish is generally served at most family gatherings, is sold by many food venders and Restaurants, and commonly appears on our dinner table.

But we’ll cover more about our Central American Tamale another day!

Instead, today we talk about a special type of Tamale – A tamale that is new to our local food market, and has quickly become a local favorite: The Chinese Tamale – or Zongzi!

These “Chinese Tamale”, original name “Zongzi” Is VERY different from our usual Central American version of the tamale Family.

This Asian version of a “Tamale” is made from Steamed Brown rice, a Shiitake Mushroom, vegetable, and sauce filling, flavored with traditional Asian seasoning, wrapped in a plantain/Banana leaf, and steamed.

Traditionally Zongzi is made from sticky rice stuffed with special fillings, Authentic Asian seasoning and wrapped up in Argy-wormwood leaves. Chinese people eat Zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival to memorialize Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet who lived 2300 years ago.

The first time trying Chinese Tamales was a new and exciting experience, as the combination of flavors was amazing, and the taste of the traditional Asian spices was in full swing -- in every single bite.

Oh, and did we mention that they're Vegetarian? Yes you read that right!

At first bite, the texture of the mushrooms, coupled with the deep savory flavors confused us! We thought for a whole moment that we were biting into a juicy Asian style beef filling! (We just can not get over the amazing cooking and flavoring skills at work in this dish!) So next time you're at the Belmopan market, and are hungry for something new and bursting with flavor, stop by our new friend's stall at the market and pick yourself up a couple Chinese Tamales - before they sell out at noon!

Location: Belmopan Market place

(second-to-last stall on the end nearest to the bus station, facing away from the road)

Price Point : $2.00 BZD