Tamales
Tamales are prepared corn masa which may have a variety of different fillings. They are wrapped in corn husks (or occasionally banana leaves) and steamed. Because tamales are time-consuming to prepare, they are a special holiday food that is only made a few times throughout the year, in large batches, often with many family members assisting in parties called tamaladas.
Advertisement
Bacalao
As Christmas approaches, bacalao (dried salted codfish) starts showing up in markets and grocery stores throughout Mexico. This dish of European origin has become a standard component of a traditional Mexican Christmas feast. Bacalao a la vizcaina is a popular recipe in which the cod is stewed with tomatoes, capers, olives, and potatoes, but it may be prepared in various ways.