Pina Colada Tamales

Photo: flickr user kristin_a

Ingredients

1/2 cup Banana chips, dried

1/4 cup Slivered almonds

1/4 cup Sweetened coconut flakes

22 Corn husks, soaked in hot water, until pliable

1 Masa for Sweet Tamales, see 2 cups Fresh pineapple chunks, divided

1/2 cup Pineapple-coconut juice, or other tropical fruit juice

1 tablespoon Brown sugar

1/2 cup Whipped cream, optional

1 tablespoon Lime zest

Preparation

In food processor or blender, process banana chips until finely chopped.

Combine chips in small bowl with almonds and coconut.

Tear 2 corn husks into long strips; set aside (to tying the tamales).

To make tamales, spread 1 tablespoon masa dough in center of each corn husk to form a rectangle, leaving sides, top and bottom of husk exposed.

Sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons banana-chip mixture over masa and press in 1 pineapple chunk. Spread 1 tablespoon masa dough over filling. Fold corn husk over filling, beginning with right and left sides and ending with non-pointed husk bottom. Tie tamale "package" together with corn husk strips. Make sure filling is fully enclosed and strips are securely knotted.

Place tamales not touching each other in steamer over boiling water. Cover and steam for 1 hour and 15 minutes over medium-high heat, adding more water if necessary.

Meanwhile, place remaining pineapple chunks, about 1 cup, in food processor or blender with pineapple-coconut juice and sugar; process until smooth.

To serve, cut open tamales. Spoon sauce over each; top with shipped cream, if using, and lime zest.

Makes about 20 tamales.