The guajolota is a Mexican tamale sandwich made with bread and a cornmeal-coated piece of meat. It is often served as street food and can be customized with vegetables and condiments. It is a popular finger food and alternative to processed meats.
The guajolota is a specific type of Mexican tamale sandwich where a tamale is sandwiched between some bread. This type of sandwich, also called a tamale cake, is popular in Mexico City and surrounding areas. Use specific types of Mexican bread, or just a bun or hot dog bun.
A tamale is a piece of meat with a cornmeal coating. Chicken, beef or pork can be used. The cornmeal topping gives the tamale a unique texture and flavor profile.
A combination of tamale and bread means that guajolota is a relatively carbohydrate-rich food. Some people have described this type of appetizer as “starch on starch,” criticizing not only the texture of the dish, but also its overall nutritional value. Other culinary audiences appreciate the accessibility of the dish, which is often served as street food by vendors, and enjoy placing additional seasonings on it to balance out the texture and value of the food.
Different vegetable fixings can be added to the sandwich. Lettuce, tomato and onion are common additions. Various cooked or raw chilies can also be added to the guajolota to give it an even hotter flavor. Tamale meat generally has some spice, but the additional vegetables can give the food even more flavor and a more varied texture.
Besides vegetables, cooks can put various condiments on the guajolota. Many versions of this dish include chili sprinkled liberally on the hotdog bun or other bread. Ketchup and mustard can also be added to the sandwich. Other Mexican-type seasonings can be added.
While the specific type of guajolota sandwich may have originated in Mexico, tamale sandwiches have become popular in other parts of the world. For example, in the fast food culture of Chicago, a major city in the Northwestern United States, a family sandwich is called a “mother-in-law” sandwich. This tamale sandwich is largely similar to guajolota, but commonly known by its other name.
In its most common presentations, guajolota is what is known as “finger food.” Rather than a sit-down meal, this sandwich can be enjoyed on the go. It is a popular alternative to hot dogs or other processed meat choices. In guajolota, the relatively unprocessed meat of the tamale is held in by both the cornmeal topping and the surrounding bread.
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