RICOTTA CHEESE TAMALES

Everyone loves good tamales. Especially when they are homemade and still warm. However, most traditional recipes use lard, corn meal and pork – they are not very healthy at all. I am going to show you a low-carb, low-fat, vegetarian tamale that is to die for! These tasty ricotta cheese tamales are absolutely scrumptious and healthy. Let’s cook!

VEGETARIAN RICOTTA CHEESE TAMALES

Portions: 6 Preparation time: 40 minutes

The traditional tamale is tasty, but unfortunately full of fat, carbohydrates and calories. They are also heavy on the digestive system and not very delicious. If only you could have a tamale that is delicious and healthy… Well guess what? I have a healthy and yummy tamale recipe for you that is low-carb, low-fat and meat free. Which means you can have more than one serving and feel good about what you are putting in your body. I love this recipe so much and these tamales are highly requested by my friends and family at gatherings and parties.

My recipe uses ricotta cheese. This cheese is originally Italian and can be made from cow, sheep or goat milk. It is similar to cottage cheese, but with a creamier texture. In Mexico we call it requesón. It is available in whole milk or skim milk with a low fat content and a mild flavor that goes well with sweet and savory flavors. Its soft and creamy texture cooks like masa in these tamales so the texture and flavors are just right. These tamales are low in carbs and fat because they don’t use corn meal at all and no lard. Another great thing about this recipe is that it has vegetables, which add even more nutritional value to this meal. You can enjoy these tasty tamales with a salad or a healthy soup.

This recipe amazingly only has 3 main ingredients, so it is super easy to make. Tamales are cooked in steam, so you do not have to worry about adding fat by frying or cooking in oil.

This is an easy and delicious recipe and I hope you like it. Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and send me pictures of your creations and use #SpicyLatinaMom.

For more tips and inspiration to make this recipe, watch my video on Youtube:

RICOTTA CHEESE TAMALES

½ cup of grated zucchini

½ cup of grated carrot

2 cups of ricotta cheese

6 corn husks

Salt to taste

Soak the corn husks in hot water until they are soft and pliable
In a bowl, mix the zucchini, carrots and ricotta cheese and add salt to taste
Take a corn husk and add 2 tbsp of the ricotta mixture
Fold in each side of the husk and then the bottom to make the tamale
Place the folded husks in a steamer and bring the water to a boil and then lower the heat
Remove the husks and serve the tamales with a salad or whatever side dish you like