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Feliz Navidad: Tamales and More

Holiday Eats

Friday March 29 2024 • 8:33am - 8:33am ET

Corn husks or banana leaves, masa or plantain dough  with so many delicious things to put inside, tamales are a perfect celebration food all year round. And for many of us, it can’t be Christmastime without them.

Fany Gerson and Maricel Presilla join Von Diaz to unwrap the secrets of making perfect tamales, both savory and sweet, and share some other favorite holiday recipes. Whether you want to host your first tamalada or just cook for a holiday meal, they’ll be ready to answer all your questions.

About the Guests

Fany Gerson is a chef and the founder of La Newyorkina, an NY-based company specializing in artisanal frozen Mexican treats and sweets. A native of Mexico City, she’s also the author of several cookbooks, including My Sweet Mexico and Paletas.

Von Diaz is a self-taught cook and radio producer who explores Puerto Rican food, culture and identity through memoir and multimedia.  Her most recent book is Coconuts and Collards, recipes and stories from Puerto Rico to the deep South.

Maricel Presilla is the first Latin American woman to have been invited as a guest chef at the White House. Her book, Gran Cocina Latina was named Cookbook of the Year by the James Beard Foundation. She is also the chef and co-owner of Cucharamama in Hoboken, NJ.

Cookie samples provided by:


Holiday Eats

The holidays are coming, and what better way to celebrate than with food? This event is part of our three-part series on seasonal treats that are sure to make December merrier (and tastier) for you and yours. See full series schedule here.

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