National Tamale Day

National Tamale Day celebrates tamales, a Mesoamerican dish made from masa and filled with ingredients such as meat, vegetables, cheese, or seasonings. The filled dough is typically wrapped in a corn husk and steamed, and tamales may be savory or sweet. Their ingredients, shapes, and preparation methods have varied across regions and over time, helping the dish become part of many culinary traditions. The Santa Barbara Independent describes tamales’ long history and regional variations.

Richard Lambert, a Santa Barbara tamale maker and owner of Tamales-To-Go, founded National Tamale Day in 2015. After discovering in 2014 that tamales did not have a dedicated day, he gathered hundreds of signatures from tamale fans and submitted an application to Chase’s Calendar of Events. The first observance took place on March 23, 2015. Lambert chose March 23 because the year-end tamale season had passed and he wanted to encourage people to enjoy tamales throughout the year; he also noted that the date had relatively little competition from other food celebrations. Learn more about Lambert’s creation of the holiday.

How to Observe National Tamale Day

Celebrate by enjoying a tamale from a local restaurant, food truck, stand, or your own kitchen. Try a style or filling you have not had before, or gather friends and family to prepare tamales together. You can also share a favorite recipe, compare sweet and savory varieties, or learn more about the dish’s Mesoamerican roots and regional variations.

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