Does anyone remember "Red's Tamales?"

[honeyb]

Oh, in the late 1960's, through the 70's and maybe part of the 80's there used to be frozen tamales that came in like a 6-pack called "Red's Tamales." This was also back when there were tamales in a can that you had to boil the can to heat. Red's Tamales were wrapped in a paper "husk" and you would boil them to heat them up (pre-microwave days). Red's didn't really have any chunks of meat, there was this red paste (looked like a dark tomato paste) that was meat flavored as the filling and yellow-colored masa. Does anyone remember them? I assume the company no longer exists? Who manufactured them?
Anyone got a similar recipe for "Red's Tamales" -- not just any tamale recipe will do. I can find tamale recipes. It's just gotta taste like Red's.
Thanks!
- HoneyB

[Seank]

Hi there....I do remember Red's Tamales...fondly. We used to get them at school for lunch. They originally had a paper wrapper and we poked a hole in them and squeezed out that great masa and paste. They later ended up in stores in a plastic wrapper. I haven't seen them in years. I am now in Southern California and I don't think that they ever made it this far. I have tasted that same flavor in something else, however........try Chili's chile. If you agree let me know. Maybe we can come up with a recipe of our own.

[Seank]

I just noticed the title under my user name....nobody in their right mind would allow me to be their assistant!

[BreezyCooking]

While they're not "Red's", you can still find canned paper-husk-wrapped tamales in nearly any/every grocery store. Although of course these days all you have to do is pry them out of the can & nuke them, then remove the mad-hot paper wrappings - lol!! I still like them tho, once in awhile. Sort of nostalgic.

[Shunka]

Hormel makes tamales (wrapped in paper) in a can like what you are describing.

[bobbyrob70]

boy howdy, ol Reds tamales was a bay area icon . boiled them then opened em with the built in zipper and wallah, instant heartburn. been a long time, last or similar tamale like that is garabaldis.

[StormyMarina]

I remember Red's Tamales! I lived in Sacramento, Calif. then. I sure do miss them, they were my favorites every time I went to Grandma's house. I would love to be in on recreating them for sure.

[Harborwitch]

Oh yes! Red's tamales were great. We could get them when I lived in Modesto about 20 years ago, but I haven't seen them since.

My grandmother used to make a wonderful "luncheon dish" for her craft circle that was the Hormel canned tamales removed from their paper and cut in thirds, mixed with a can of golden hominy and a can of cream of chicken soup. She'd put it all in a casserole and top with some grated cheese and bake until bubbly. Darn that was good. I'll still make it on one of those nights when we need comfort food.