Food Friday: Revisiting the French Tamale - Stuffed Sandwiches

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will remember that last week we looked at a recipe for French Tamales. I wondered at that time if this was a uniquely California recipe. I still have no answers but I found a similar recipe in another California community cookbook simply called "Stuffed Sandwiches."

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

Today's cookbook is from the California Home Economics Teachers (1991). Titled  California Recipes BBQ's, Picnics & Parties, this recipe includes some of the same ingredients as the French Tamale with  the addition of green chilies.

From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega

Of course, my favorite part is that it includes a note from the recipe contributor about her mother. One of the features of this cookbook, something I wish more community cookbooks would incorporate, is a sentence or two about the origins of the recipes provided. Comments span from the general reference of "a family favorite" to  the acknowledgement of the originator of the recipe with a specific name and occupations.

So are stuffed sandwiches or French Tamales something your family dines on?