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1
In a medium saucepan, combine 3/4 cup of the sugar with 3/4 cup of water and bring to a simmer, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved.
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2
Transfer the syrup to a large bowl and let cool completely.
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3
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over moderately high heat.
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4
When very hot, carefully add the strawberries, hulled side down, in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until blackened, about 8 minutes.
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5
Transfer the strawberries to the cooled syrup.
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6
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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7
Drain the burnt strawberries and reserve the syrup for cocktails.
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8
In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries and 11/2 cups of the sugar and bring to a simmer.
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9
Cook, mashing the strawberries and stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is thickened, about 8 minutes.
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10
Let cool completely.
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11
In a large bowl, cover the dried cornhusks with enough boiling water to completely submerge them; weigh them down with a plate.
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12
Cover and let stand for 15 minutes.
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13
Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
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14
In a medium bowl, combine the masa harina with 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of water and mix until a dough forms.
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15
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar at medium-high speed until whipped and smooth, about 3 minutes.
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16
Beat in the baking powder, salt and vanilla seeds.
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17
Scrape the butter mixture into a bowl.
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18
Add the masa dough to the bowl of the stand mixer and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
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19
Beat in 1 cup of the cooled strawberry mixture, 1/3 cup at a time and scraping down the bowl, until incorporated.
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20
Beat in the whipped butter in 3 additions, scraping down the bowl, until smooth.
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21
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
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22
Lay 1 cornhusk smooth side up on a work surface and spoon 1/2 cup of the tamale dough in the center.
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23
Roll the husk around the dough to make a compact cylinder, folding in the sides as you roll.
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24
Tie the tamale with kitchen string and wrap it tightly in a sheet of the sandwich paper.
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25
Repeat to form 7 more tamales.
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26
Arrange the tamales in a steamer set over a pot of simmering water.
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27
Cover and steam until firm, 90 minutes.
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28
Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
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29
Serve warm or at room temperature with the remaining burnt strawberry jam and ice cream or whipped cream.