A Tamale Tour of Mississippi

Few foods throughout the Americas can rival the tamale’s longstanding cultural importance. Tamales are believed to have originated in Mesoamerican regions between 5,000 and 8,000 B.C. and were regarded as the “food of the gods” in ancient religious ceremonies.

Tamales arrived in Mississippi in the early 1900s, likely brought to the state by migrant farmworkers and laborers. Though its history in Mississippi is relatively new, tamales have become a favorite food throughout much of the state, especially the Delta region. Mississippi hot tamales are traditionally made with a mixture of cornmeal and ground meat (often pork, beef or chicken), liberally seasoned with chili powder, cumin and other spices, and then steamed or boiled in a tightly wrapped corn husk.

A Tamale Tour of Mississippi Tamales were popularized by street vendors and later at blues clubs and groceries. Today, you can find them on the menu at a wide range of Mississippi restaurants. At Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville, for example, tamales are served the traditional Delta way with saltine crackers and a bottle of hot sauce. The popular Mississippi steakhouse hasn’t changed its tamale recipe since it opened in 1941. Other popular tamales options in the Delta include the White Front Cafe (Rosedale), Airport Grocery (Cleveland), Solly’s Hot Tamales (Vicksburg) and Abe’s BBQ (Clarksdale).

In Jackson, tamales have been served at the Big Apple Inn since the restaurant opened in 1939. Geno Lee is the current owner, but the restaurant was started by his great grandfather who arrived from Mexico in the 1930s and began selling hot tamales from a cart on Jackson’s Farish Street district. The Big Apple Inn is located on the ground floor of a building that once housed the office of the civil rights figure, Medgar Evers, who would frequently have meetings in the restau-rant. Other popular Jackson tamale destinations include Walker’s Drive-In, Hal & Mal’s and Tony’s Tamales (takeout only). Mexican-style tamales are, of course, available at several Mexican restaurants throughout the state.

Wherever you ultimately travel in Mississippi, be sure to sample the local tamales at least once during your trip – and be sure to savor each bite. After all, you’re a mere mortal that has been privileged to eat the food of the gods.

Going the Extra Mile on Mississippi’s Trails and Traces

Wherever you travel in Mississippi, you’re not far from a scenic roadway, nature area or recreational trail. Among these scenic offerings, the Natchez Trace, Long-leaf Trace and Tanglefoot Trail stand out as three exceptional destinations, each with its own unique allure. These pathways weave together history, natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making them irresistible to those who yearn for exploration.

The Natchez Trace is one of the state’s most treasured thoroughfares and is designated as a National Scenic Byway because of its historical importance and scenery. The original trail is believed to have been traced out by herds of buffalo more than 8,000 years ago. Later, that “trace” was traveled by Native Americans, European settlers and historical figures including Aaron Burr, Andrew Jackson, George Washington, Daniel Boone and Meriwether Lewis.

Today, the Natchez Trace is a 444-mile roadway that begins in Natchez and crosses 350 miles of Mississippi before ending in Nashville. The Trace is especially popular with cyclists, who come by the hundreds every year to compete in the Natchez Trace Century Ride, and hikers who enjoy the serene beauty, waterfalls and rocky outcroppings of Tishomingo State Park. Other visitors prefer traveling the Trace by car, truck or camper and following the trail markers to see scenic nature areas, historic places and hiking trailheads.

The Longleaf Trace, in South Mississippi, and the Tanglefoot Trail, in the north, are both Rails-to-Trails Conservancy projects, part of a national program that is

converting unused railways into paved multi-use trails for walking, skating, and cycling. In addition to active recreation along the trails, there are ample opportuni-ties to experience vibrant cities and thriving small towns along each route.

The Southern gateway of the 45-mile Longleaf Trace is located in Hattiesburg near the Campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. From there, the Long-leaf takes a northwesterly trek through pine woodlands, open plains and wetlands before terminating in the town of Prentiss. Stations along the way offer opportunities to rehydrate and refresh before tackling the next segment. A 24-mile equestrian trail runs parallel to the Longleaf, and additional hiking, mountain biking and camping opportunities are located along the route.

The 43.6-mile Tanglefoot Trail may be just a hair shorter than the Longleaf Trace, but its scenery is every bit as spectacular. The trail, which begins in Houston, Mississippi, and ends in New Albany, follows the path of a rail line that was led by Colonel William C. Faulkner, the great grandfather of the great American author, William Faulkner. The trail travels through the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, a federally designated National Heritage Area recognized for its importance to both Civil War and Civil Rights history. Travelers pass through five towns and small cities that have been revitalized by the trail and have in some cases opened new businesses to court cyclists and hikers looking for a good meal or a place to stay the night.

Learn more about Mississippi’s trails and traces at VisitMississippi.org/Trails. ■