Celia SoudryWhile ghouls, goblins, and Jon & Kate plus 8 look-a-likes run rampant through the streets of Los Angeles this weekend, others will be celebrating Dia de Los Muertos, filling up on Mama's Hot Tamales downtown. Instead of blocking off the street like last year's festival, Mama's will be taking the party inside, integrating Asian fusion into her three-day buffet menu as a reflection of the changes in her local community.
Tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 31th, at 11 a.m., Sandi Romero (“Mama”) will give instructions on how to fill masa with Asian meats and vegetables, spread the stuffed dough on corn husks, banana leaves or avocado leaves, and roll them into a finished product. Along with traditional Mama's Hot Tamales staples, menu items will include Korean kimchi and Korean barbecue beef tamales, Indian curry, Chinese vegetable, kimchi and other fusion tacos.
Mama's Hot Tamales prides itself on its connection to the community, providing and encouraging culinary job training to the low-and-moderate-income residents of central Los Angeles and MacArthur Park.
“This celebration's not only honoring people who passed away, but celebrating our life and the life of the community, getting rid of crime, gangs and drugs. It's important here at Mama's to bring the community together,” says Romero.
Mama's Hot Tamales, 2122 W. Seventh Street, L.A, (213) 487-7474.
Hollywood Forever Dia de los Muertos Festival; Credit: LA Weekly Flickr pool/honeybeejen
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