Heath resident brings unique dessert tamales to Fate with new storefront

ALONG CAME TAMALE

GoodFood_Tamale1_WEB — Anita Castro with niece Amy Arrambide

(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX — May 4, 2016) Heath resident Anita Castro, owner of Along Came Tamale, and her niece Amy Arrambide, owner and meal planner for Field to Meal, are bringing their fresh and nutritious recipes to the City of Fate with a new storefront opening downtown.

Located across from the Fate City Fire Department, the storefront offers a variety of wholesome, all natural tamales – vacuum sealed and frozen, so they can be easily reheated. This includes traditional favorites like pork and chicken, but also spinach – and Anita’s ever-popular dessert tamales, which she began making because she was unable to find anyone who made them.

“Many people have never heard of dessert tamales,” Anita said, “but cinnamon raisin tamales, served up with a cup of hot chocolate, are a Mexican tradition. Pineapple tamales are also a traditional favorite. We’ve given an authentic Mexican dessert a sweet twist by adding apple, blueberry and chocolate chip flavors. They’re great for breakfast, too.”

Anita was first introduced to dessert tamales by her husband Ruben, who grew up in California where the fruit-flavored treats are popular in Mexican bakeries. The couple tried for years to replicate their favorite flavors, so they could serve them to friends and family at Christmastime. They eventually perfected their recipes, and demand for their sweet tamales grew. In 2014, they began marketing the product in Texas. Blue Ribbon News first featured Anita and her sweet treats in our February 2014 issue.

The new storefront will house a production room where the tamales will be made, and sold at the front of the store in a freezer. Field to Meal will also operate at the front of the store, selling fresh, healthy, ready-to-cook meals which come equipped with premeasured ingredients.

Anita said she happened upon the building while driving around the area and noticed it was for sale. “I loved that it was across the street from the fire station, and it just felt right,” she said. “I felt very good being located here in this growing community. They’ve been very welcoming, and the city has been very good to work with. We’re getting a very good reception.”

Anita said they will work to make the building a state-inspected facility so that they can sell their meat-based tamales to restaurants and stores.

Anita, who worked outside the home as a Certified Public Account for a number of years, said she would always be on the lookout for something frozen yet healthy to bring home to cook for her family, and that she brings that same mentality to Along Came Tamale.

“Our tamales are all natural,” Anita said. “They do not contain additives or preservatives. We use as many fresh ingredients as we can.”

And unlike most frozen dinners, Anita said, you know that what you’re getting is good, nutritious food. “We provide a healthier alternative to other tamales in the market. For instance, our savory tamales are made with olive oil with no hydrogenated fats. It’s good, clean food.”

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News editor. Photos provided by Along Came Tamale.