Joretta Allen of Pueblo West won the Great American Spam Championship at the 2007 Colorado State Fair with this recipe. She has been named Queen of the Kitchen at the fair several times but had never made tamales until she entered this contest. Spam alternatives: cooked chorizo, shredded chicken or pork. Makes 16 Spamales and 8 cups Chile Verde.
Ingredients
3 (12-ounce) cans Spam, divided
2 cups plus 6 tablespoons corn oil, divided
3 tablespoons chile powder, divided
4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon garlic salt, divided
8-2/3 cups chicken broth, divided
4 cups manseca (corn meal mix) for tamales
16 dried corn husks, soaked in water for 4 hours
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
21/2 cups green chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped (hot or mild according to your preference)
1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Directions
Shred meat from 2 cans of Spam. Heat 2 tablespoons corn oil in a large skillet. Add Spam, 2 tablespoons chile powder and 1 tablespoon garlic salt. Stir in 2/3 cup broth. Cook for 7-8 minutes, set aside.
Into 4 cups manseca in a large bowl, blend 3 tablespoons garlic salt and 1 tablespoon chile powder. Stir in 2 cups corn oil. Add 4 cups lukewarm broth. Mix until well blended. If dough is too soft, add a little more manseca; if it is too dry, add a little broth. The consistency of thick peanut butter is what you want.
When the corn husks are soft, take them out and shake off the water and lay on a towel on the counter. Spread 1/2 cup masa down the center of each husk; then spread 2 tablespoons meat mixture down the center of the masa. Fold the sides toward the center, fold one end of the husk and pinch the open end. Place Spamales upright in a steamer with the folded end on the bottom. Fill steamer full enough that Spamales will remain upright. Cover with a wet cloth or husks. Add water and steam for 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
Chile Verde: Dice meat from 1 can of Spam into 1/2-inch cubes. Cook in about 4 tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Add green chiles and 1 teaspoon garlic salt. Sprinkle with flour; stir in. While stirring, add 4 cups broth. Stir in crushed tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
To serve: Remove and discard husk from Spamale. Cover Spamale with Chile Verde topping.
Wine ideas: Many would find beer to be the most satisfying match here, but if you don’t do beer, try sparkling wine. There’s plenty of it priced to enjoy anytime, even with Spam. Check out Segra Viudas or Summaroca, both of which make good versions for less than $15. —Tara Q. Thomas
