Farmer's Market & Black Bean Tamales

What can be made using this week's sales?  'Tis the season for tamales, especially since corn masa, corn husks, and vegetables are on sale.

I used recipes from Terry Romero's book, Viva Vegan!: 200 Authentic and Fabulous Recipes for Latin Food Lovers.  I also have a pot similar to the Farberware Classic Stack 'N Steam 3-Quart Saucepot and Steamer.  For the Farmer's Market tamales, I used corn masa, vegetable shortening from Food4Less (aka Foodsco, part of the Kroger chain; under $5 for 3 lb. tub), frozen vegetables, baked kabocha squash from an Asian market (~60c/lb.), capers from Trader Joe's (less than $3 a glass jar), boiled and peeled potatoes (less than $1/10 lb. sack when on sale at Ralphs or El Super), and my 99c store spices. 

For the black bean tamales, I used Emilio's black beans from the 99c store, as well as leftover boiled potatoes and frozen vegetables, diced green peppers from the 99c store, canned corn, corn masa, and spices.

 Celebrate the new year with some homemade tamales!