Tamales...Hawaiian style

So, there we were on the East shore of Kauai on the way to the Kileuea Lighthouse to see the Red Footed Booby Birds, the Lawyson Albatross and the mystical NeNe Goose (which we saw!!)  Along side the road..ocean side, is a sign that says, Tamales! A roar went up from the van and Patti Urban Rodriguez who was driving, pulls the big red van over to the Tamale stand. One of the great things about a blended/married to someone not of my cultural roots, is that we get to glimpse a part of their roots.  Patti's husband, Javiar, being Hispanic, speaks fluent Spanish and as he conversed with the roadside vendors we all got excited to eat freshly made authentic Tamales...in Hawaii!  A few feet away sat a deserted oceanside picnic table where we hungrily ate the Tamales which were critiqued by the Rodriguez family. Knowing nothing about Tamales...I took their critique as gospel as they have elevated Tamale making to a fine-family art. their consensus was there was too much masa in the wrapper. REMINDER TO PAT (Me)..bucket list: go to their house when they make them!!  And, while I'm at it...learn to speak Spanish!

 John, Jav and Patti choosing the Tamales.

 Caricia and Solea check out the view while Jav tells me and John about the Tamales.