Tamales de Calabacitas con Queso (Courgette, Corn and Cheese Tamales)
Soft masa filled with a mild mix of courgette, sweetcorn and melting cheese. Gentle, family friendly and vegetarian.
Made with Tamale masa. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.24 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Soak the corn husks in a large bowl of hot water, weighed down, for 45 minutes until soft and pliable. Drain and pat dry.
45 min - 2
Heat the oil in a wide pan and cook the onion for 4 minutes. Add the courgettes and garlic and cook over a high heat for 6 minutes, stirring, until any liquid has cooked away.
10 min - 3
Stir in the sweetcorn and salt, cook for 2 minutes, then tip into a bowl and cool completely. Mix in the grated mozzarella.
- 4
Lay a husk with the wide end towards you. Spread about 3 tbsp (50 g) of your ready made tamale masa (see the base recipe) over the wider two thirds, leaving a border. Spoon a heaped tablespoon of the courgette mixture down the middle.
- 5
Fold the sides in over the filling, then fold up the narrow end. Make 8 tamales.
- 6
Stand them folded end down in a steamer lined with spare husks. Steam over simmering water for 1 hour, topping up the water, until firm and pulling from the husk. Rest for 10 minutes.
60 min
Tips
- Salt the courgettes in the pan, not in advance, and cook them hard until dry so the filling is not watery.
- Cool the filling before adding cheese, or it melts into the pan and turns oily.
- Serve with warm salsa verde or pico de gallo if you like.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours, then keep in the fridge in their husks for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat by steaming for 15 to 20 minutes until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use marrow or squash instead of courgette?
Yes. Dice it small and cook it until dry. Butternut squash needs a few extra minutes to soften.
Are these spicy?
No, they are mild. Add a finely chopped jalapeño to the filling for heat.
Can I make them dairy free?
Yes. Leave out the cheese and add an extra spoonful of sweetcorn. The tamales are then vegan.
More made with tamale masa
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.