Tamales for Christmas

puakinikini · 10-26-2009, 12:37:27 PM

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum - I was not sure where it should go.

One of the administrative assistants at work makes tamales at Christmas. She makes a lot of them with several of her family members, but has never sold them before. She offered me some, but I would not feel right taking them without compensation. However, I have no idea how much to pay per dozen of tamales. She offered 12 chicken and 12 pork (24 tamales total), and I want to compensate her fairly. I know making tamales is very time intensive. I have had her tamales before and they are really high quality (restaurant quality).

Anyone sell tamales? Or bought them before from someone? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Kristen.C · 10-26-2009, 01:24:58 PM

When we lived in New Mexico a lot of people sold Tamales around Christmas. From the best I can remember, I believe they usually ran around $20-$25 per dozen. People may be asking more now since that was about 5 years ago. Hopefully someone else can chime in here and provide more info. I hope you enjoy them- they're worth every penny!

sns4063 · 10-26-2009, 02:48:03 PM

The store bought tamales usually run about $6-7 per doz here in the San Antonio area. Larger, handmade tamales usually run about $8-10/doz. Specialty tamales run more, like the dessert or cheese tamales. Some places even make "gourmet" tamales. From what I've seen,most people who make homemade tamales usually use pre-made masa, making the whole tamale making experience alot less time consuming.

They are though, my downfall at Christmas time!

momabrown3 · 10-26-2009, 03:13:26 PM

25.00 dozen is going price at the spanish markets her in Asheville,NC

mamastew · 10-26-2009, 03:24:38 PM

Our admininstrative assistant's dad makes them and sells them at my work. He makes: pork, chicken, and beef and sells them for $10 a dozen. They are handmade and taste better than any restaurant. He brings them to us while they are still hot!

puakinikini · 10-26-2009, 03:32:50 PM

Thank you and reps to everyone who responded. I am glad to know that I was thinking in the correct ballpark about pricing. Sometimes being frugal has its limitations - and I did not want to offer too little. I think about $2 a tamale is definitely worth it - as I know the quality is really good. I want to buy them and freeze them for quick dinners for DH and I.

434Teresa · 10-27-2009, 08:41:59 PM

My husban is from Mexico so we make them at home but from time to time we do buy them, we pay anywhere from $6 to $10 a dozen, there is no way I would pay $25 for a dozen and I know what it takes to make them,its really a all day job by the time you cook the meat, make the masa up to taste, spread it in the corn husk,fold them up and at least 2 hours to cook a huge pot of them.. it is a all day job but its worth it..

well I take that back if they grind up the corn and make their own masa for them i might pay $25 for a dozen for they are much better that way but I really dont think that anyone around here makes them that way to sell, we have some friends from mexico that will make them that way but they make the masa from the corn the day before they are ready to make the tamales because it takes so much time to do..

so if the masa is homemade maybe $25 but from pre made masa I would not pay more then $10 for 12 of them

greenfrog57 · 10-27-2009, 09:09:27 PM

they sell $12 a dozen homemade here in New Mexico. When I worked, there were always ladies coming to the workplace to sell. Now, I find them in parking lots -- strange.....

Cynthiabutterfly · 10-28-2009, 04:52:20 AM

$1 each or $10 for a dozen. My MIL makes them and usually bundles them up by the dozen, and sells 2 for $20. We've helped her make them before, and the cost for about 100-120 is $60-$80, depending on how much the meat costs. And it is an all-day process, even with 2 helpers.

She makes the really good, resteraunt style, large ones. Not these tiny ones I see people selling on the street.