Mi Comida Restaurante Latino is Set to Serve Hundreds at the 79th Annual Friendly House Tamale Dinner and Festival

By: Cindy G Castillo

 

In Ecuador, they call them Humitas. In Venezuela, they are called Hallacas. In Brazil, there’s a similar food called “pamonha,” but it’s not exactly what we’re referring to.

 

Regardless of its name, the flavor is one-of-a-kind. Most commonly known as a Tamale, this Mesoamerican dish is a delicacy for every taste in cuisine.

 

Tamales are made of masa, which is steamed or boiled in a leaf wrapper — sometimes corn leaves are used or banana leaves in other dishes — depending, of course, on the region. 

 

Rosa Rosales, owner of Mi Comida Restaurante Latino, opened her restaurant in 2003, and since then has become one of the favorites in the Valley. 

 

Trip Advisor gives her a rating of “excellent” with comments such as, “Authentic Latin American Dining,” “Excellent food, awesome spices,” and “South American dishes made fresh by a lovely mom and team from Venezuela and Ecuador.”

 

Rosales’ inspiration traces back to her country Ecuador. “My restaurant is a combination of several South American flavors – Colombian, Peruvian, Bolivian, Venezuelan and so on,” she said. 

 

Her restaurant was discovered by one of the board members of Friendly House in Phoenix, and extended her an invitation to their annual tamale dinner fundraiser event. “I couldn’t help but smile,” she said. More than 30 years ago, she had been an employee for the organization. 

 

Her position was in accounting, but cooking was her ultimate passion and calling. Later, she decided to change careers and enrolled in college at a culinary school. 

 

Now, she is owner of her very own restaurant. 

 

Rosa Rosales, along with Mi Comida Restaurante Latino will be one of the participating restaurants in the 79th Annual Tamale Dinner and Festival to be held at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix.  She will be serving both Mexican and Ecuadorian tamales.

 

Oh, and her secret to the best tamale? “Like we say in my country, it depends on hand of the person that’s making them. Every one prepares them to their own liking and how they want them. It really depends on who’s making them.”  

 

For more information on the 79th Annual Tamale Dinner and Festival, visit www.tamaledinner.com