Vegetarian Tamales

Ingredients

Corn husks

12-15, soaked in warm water

Corn masa flour

2 cups

Vegetable broth

1 1/4 cups

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Onion

1, finely chopped

Bell pepper

1, diced (any color)

Zucchini

1, diced

Corn kernels

1 cup, fresh or frozen

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Cumin

1 teaspoon

Chili powder

1 teaspoon

Salt

1 teaspoon

Black beans

1 cup, cooked and drained

Fresh cilantro

1/4 cup, chopped

Lime juice

2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed

Instructions

1. Soak the corn husks in warm water for about 30 minutes, or until they become pliable. This will make them easier to work with when wrapping the tamales.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the corn masa flour and vegetable broth. Mix until a smooth, pliable dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, add a little more broth.
3. In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, sautéing until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the zucchini, corn kernels, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
4. Remove the skillet from heat and gently stir in the black beans, fresh cilantro, and lime juice. Set aside to cool slightly.
5. Take a soaked corn husk and spread a thin layer of the corn masa dough onto it, leaving about 1 inch of space at the edges. The dough should be about 1/4 inch thick.
6. Place a spoonful of the vegetable filling in the center of the dough. Be careful not to overfill.
7. Fold the sides of the corn husk over the filling, then fold the bottom up to secure it. Use a strip of soaked corn husk to tie the tamale if desired.
8. Repeat this process with the remaining corn husks, dough, and filling until everything is used up.
9. Arrange the tamales upright in a steamer basket, making sure they are tightly packed to prevent them from falling over. Steam the tamales over boiling water for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the masa dough is firm and fully cooked.
10. Once cooked, carefully remove the tamales from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.