Turkey Tamales

Make the Turkey Broth and Lard

1. Gather the ingredients. Place the turkey carcass—bones, skin, cartilage—into a large pot and cover it with water. Cover the pot and boil over medium heat for 2 to 3 hours, adding hot water as necessary to keep the bones covered. Take the broth off the heat and allow it to cool down somewhat.

2. Strain your broth, discarding all the solids. Refrigerate it overnight.

3. The next day, scrape off the white fat that has accumulated at the top of the broth. Measure 2/3 cup of the fat and set it aside; this is what we will use for the tamales. (If for some reason there is not enough turkey fat to equal 2/3 cup, add pork lard to make up the difference.)

4. Measure out 2 cups (1/2 liter) of the turkey broth for our tamale-making; use the rest for another purpose (such as making turkey noodle soup) or freeze it for another occasion.

Prepare the Corn Leaves and Masa

1. Place the corn leaves into a large container and cover them with hot water. Allow them to soak for an hour or so, until they are quite soft and pliable. Once they are ready, drain off the water.

2. Combine the masa harina with the baking powder, salt, turkey fat, and turkey broth. Stir very well, first with a wooden spoon and then with your hands, until very well mixed.

3. Continue to stir with a wooden spoon for at least 15 minutes more, without stopping. The more you beat the masa, the lighter and fluffier your tamales will turn out.

Assemble the Tamales

1. For each tamale, spread some of the masa in the center of a corn leaf. Place a few pieces of shredded turkey and a tablespoon of mole or other sauce on top of the masa.

2. Fold the corn leaf in such a way that the masa completely encloses the filling. Fold in the two ends of the leaf. If you like, wrap this little package of goodness inside another corn leaf, then tie it up with a long strip torn off of another corn leaf. Repeat this until you run out of masa. (If you need further directions, see these detailed instructions for wrapping tamales.)

3. Place your tamales into a tamale pot or other steam cooker. Cover and seal the pot well. Steam your tamales for about an hour, until cooked through.

4. To know if the tamales are done, grab one with tongs and open it. If the filling falls easily away from the corn leaf, the tamales are done. (If not, wrap it back up, put it back in the pot, and steam for a while longer.)

5. Once the tamales are done, take them off the heat and take the lid off the pot. Let them sit for at least a couple of hours so that they can firm up.

6. Serve and enjoy.