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Fatback Joe
10-04-2018, 01:15 PM
I asked my local pork guy for a couple of hams recently and when he stopped by the house with them he gave me a couple of heads too since he knew that I will deal with them. I don't mind getting them, but they sure eat up some freezer space and when not expecting them, they kind of force you to take action. So.......one going for tamales.

I am by no means a tamale expert, so take this post for what it is worth. :biggrin1:

https://i.imgur.com/9ymAQ4m.jpg?1

Removed the face.

https://i.imgur.com/E1E2HjG.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/uoPypXa.jpg?1

Broke the face down into easier to handle pieces and hit them with salt, pepper, cayenne, granulated garlic and seems like another spice or two that escape me now.

https://i.imgur.com/Ms2kwm9.jpg?1

That went into the smoker while the head went to into the pot to simmer for broth.

https://i.imgur.com/zOzenHA.jpg?1

When it was done, separated the meat from the fat and skin. Some of the best meat on the pig comes from the head IMO.....

https://i.imgur.com/gG5CZV9.jpg?1

Anyhow, gave it all a rough chop.

https://i.imgur.com/SxxJ30D.jpg?1

Got the masa around using the broth for the liquid in it and got to assembling things.

https://i.imgur.com/o5MFKqD.jpg?1

I find that I make my tamales to whatever size the corn husk allows......no uniformity at all.

https://i.imgur.com/14Sqa2t.jpg?1

Steamed them for a little over an hour.

https://i.imgur.com/4qdc0SW.jpg?1

I just took to eating them. No sauce, salsa or anything else required to make me happy.

Right at the end of things, it hit me that I had been taking pics of the process never got a shot of the insides......tail end of the last one.

https://i.imgur.com/v931TUP.jpg?1

All in all, pretty happy with them. I still need to work on getting the masa texture exactly right, more uniformity in the size, and getting the masa/to meat mixture right.

In any case, another head put to use instead of just going to scrape.

mattmountz94
10-04-2018, 01:18 PM
They look awesome but that 2nd photo is :eusa_clap

Joshw
10-04-2018, 01:28 PM
I love tamales, and those look good. I have tried a lot of masa recipes, and quit looking, after using Rick Baylesss's recipe. It is the one.
http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/basic-tamal-dough/

Jason TQ
10-04-2018, 01:29 PM
Love it. I wish I could get free pig heads! Granted they are pretty cheap, but they meat off them is just awesome.

BuffettFan
10-04-2018, 01:34 PM
They look awesome but that 2nd photo is :eusa_clap


Silence of the Hams? :biggrin1:

BuffettFan
10-04-2018, 01:36 PM
I've been thinking about smoking a head or two.
Do you have an estimate on how much meat you can get out of an average pig noggin? I realize they vary in size and weight tremendously, maybe a percentage of head weight to meat weight?
Thanks!

robert-r
10-04-2018, 01:38 PM
Wow! Thas just killer!!!

Fatback Joe
10-04-2018, 01:42 PM
I've been thinking about smoking a head or two.
Do you have an estimate on how much meat you can get out of an average pig noggin? I realize they vary in size and weight tremendously, maybe a percentage of head weight to meat weight?
Thanks!

Oddly, I have not ever weighed the heads that I can remember.......but I have weighed the meat after the cooking and pulling/picking and 2 - 2 1/2 lbs is about average for me of just straight meat.

Fatback Joe
10-04-2018, 01:43 PM
They look awesome but that 2nd photo is :eusa_clap

That is usually stage where my wife asks why I can't go do that somewhere else. :mrgreen:

BuffettFan
10-04-2018, 01:46 PM
Thanks Joe!
I'll have to figure out a guestimation of how many I can fit on my smokers.
Terry

Fatback Joe
10-04-2018, 01:47 PM
Oddly, I have not ever weighed the heads that I can remember.......but I have weighed the meat after the cooking and pulling/picking and 2 - 2 1/2 lbs is about average for me of just straight meat.

Oh.......also, when I have done the face bacon thing, that is usually around 9 - 10 pounds. Hope that helps

https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252577&highlight=face+bacon

Pig_Farmer
10-04-2018, 03:08 PM
Those first few pics a just to get everyone into the Halloween spirit. That looks really good though. One thing I have learned about making tamales, is, just when you think you added enough meat...add more. That and, I hate making tamales. love me some cheek meat.

wbratt1
10-04-2018, 03:14 PM
Great pictures and post! Thanks for sharing.

ssv3
10-04-2018, 03:21 PM
Superior!

Stingerhook
10-04-2018, 03:30 PM
Most excellent!

BobBrisket
10-04-2018, 04:04 PM
Good eats and brought back memories. As a kid, pig heads were pretty much what my Grandparent's used. They were super cheap. They used to boil em down, scrap of the skin and meat, chop up the tongue and the easier way to make em was to add some red chile instead of water to the masa and then they tossed in and mixed up the meat into the masa. That way, the chile and meat were mixed in and easier to toss on the husk and wrap.

My dad and brother made some last Thanksgiving. My dad has started smoking the entire head with the skin attached too. Then scraping off the meat, skin, tongue, rough chop and also mixing it into the masa. Then a good scoop full onto the hush, wrap, and steam.

The smoke profile from those is pretty strong. So much so, that you are burping em up hours later!! LOL!

Pig head tamales are good stuff!

I'd hit those for sure!

Bob

Mikhail
10-04-2018, 06:35 PM
Inspiration! Love a good tamale so I have to try that.

FashionBiff
10-04-2018, 09:18 PM
Im about a minute and a half from Tijuana so its a tad early for Tamales for me. But gawd those look awesome and I can taste them from here. Great job!

Titch
10-04-2018, 11:44 PM
great work as usual
some pigs heads skinned ,2nd picture, would work for Halloween down where I am

mattmountz94
10-05-2018, 04:56 AM
That is usually stage where my wife asks why I can't go do that somewhere else. :mrgreen:

Lol i can only imagine

gtr
10-05-2018, 09:29 AM
Love that! We made tamales for the first time last Christmas & it was really fun & they were pretty farkin delicious.

For the last couple pig roasts I've kinda slid the head off to the side for reheating in the smoker the next day and we just pick at it - damn good eats right there!

Love yer posts - always doing cool stuff!

cowgirl
10-05-2018, 11:25 AM
Nice work Joe! :grin:

Big George's BBQ
10-05-2018, 12:05 PM
YUM Excellent

kevinstaggs
10-05-2018, 12:45 PM
Tamales w/ chili, cheese and onions are probably my favorite Mexican food. Those look great.


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BillN
10-05-2018, 03:52 PM
I have never made tamales but have eaten more than my share. Outstanding job on those.

Hoss
10-05-2018, 09:16 PM
OUTSTANDING! Thank you for sharing.I made tamales once.They were good but a lot of work.I need to get off my laurels and do another batch.

Norm
10-06-2018, 07:58 AM
Looks great Joe!

I wonder how the guy you buy from puts them down. I'd expect to see a hole in the middle of it's forehead.

cullenbranson
10-06-2018, 09:14 AM
Wow!

mwallace010
10-06-2018, 01:18 PM
Looks yummy I love good tamales

Fatback Joe
10-08-2018, 10:05 AM
Looks great Joe!

I wonder how the guy you buy from puts them down. I'd expect to see a hole in the middle of it's forehead.

From what he tells me, they are electrically stunned........and don't wake up. :twitch: