I live on the wrong side of town in the wrong state

[mizarchivist]

I would really like full sized dried corn husks so I can make tamales. I've now been to 4 stores and.... yeah. Really, no. Halp? If any of you out in LJ land do go to a grocery store where they do sell such a wacky thing as tamale wrappers, will you hook me up with at least 2 packages? 

Yes, corn. Corn's in season. Well, the last attempt with tamale making had husks that may have been 3" wide, if I was lucky. Not good enough, although will have to do for this occasion.

ETA:  I've husked the corn and it's not quite as bad as last time. I may be able to carry on tomorrow with my plan.

Comments

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

I've seen them at Wegman's, I'm pretty sure. I'm glad to pick some packages up for you but I won't be in town until the 17th. Is that too much of a lag?

xx

[mizarchivist]

I can always use it later. 1 plz? Thanks, darlin'.

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

I could hook you up with basically all you want, but it would mean mailing them to you from California. That's cool with me if you get totally stuck and can't find any closer...

[mizarchivist]

I'll cast about here before I start requesting mailed tamales. Thanks!

[emerlion.livejournal.com]

What solipsistnation said. I can get 'em at every corner store here.

[mizarchivist]

Yeah, so not surprised. We could institute a new corn husk/matzoh trade!

[spinrabbit.livejournal.com]

I'm 99.5% sure that those are among the dried New Mexican things that the Medford Whole Foods has; I'll grab some tomorrow if I'm right.

[mizarchivist]

Thanks! Unless something comes up tomorrow that negates the need, I will be happy with 1 package. Thanks.

[srl.livejournal.com]

desiringsubject relays the info that Tropical Foods (http://www.yelp.com/biz/tropical-foods-roxbury) in Roxbury carries them, near the produce section. (And I'd bet they're cheaper than at Whole Foods.)

[desiringsubject.livejournal.com]

Yes. They definitely have them there. Probably also in smaller groceries all over Roxbury. It occurs to me that I don't know where you live (i.e. which side of town) if Everett is closer, I haven't fer sher seen them in the bodegas there, but I haven't shopped there as much. Also, all the stores I've found in Everett are smaller than Tropical Foods. However, I'd wander Everett, just head north from the Valley of the Things at 16/99 intersection and there's a bunch of small shops a little ways into town.

The Boston area is more segregated than a lot of other areas.

[mizarchivist]

I'm in Lexington, so Roxbury ... well, corn husks are not enough to make me go adventuring. Everett, maybe. You see why I'm out of luck, though? People look at me blankly when I ask if they have 'em 'round here.

[srl.livejournal.com]

Close to you, the smaller markets in Waltham are also likely to hsve corn husks, since Waltham has a substantial Mexican and Central American immigrant community. Check out the "markets & ethnic groceries section" on this page. (http://www.discoverwaltham.com/shop.php) Gol Latino Market in Woburn is mostly Brazilian foods, but they might well have what you're looking for.

As far as I can tell, Lexingtonians are working pretty hard to maintain those blank stares about tamale wrappers. The majority of Lexington's tax base moved there precisely because it doesn't have (on average) the class, linguistic, cultural, and ethnic mix of Somerville, Roxbury, Everett or Waltham. But they'll usually say it was "for the schools"-— code for "we want our kids to be educated like rich white-and-Asian kids without having to pay for private schools." The grocery stores in Lexington reflect that self-segregation just like everything else does.... which is why you might have to go "adventuring" to find tamale wrappers.

[mizarchivist]

At least I know Waltham a bit better, but yes. Segregation with extra polite polish on top.

At least the current husks aren't totally useless like last time, but I will find a source before corn season ends.