In Honduras , Costa Rica , Panama , and Colombia , these are usually used to wrap tamales before and while cooking , and they can be used to wrap any kind of seasoned meat while cooking to keep the flavor in . In Guatemala , Peru , El Salvador , Honduras , Costa Rica , Panama , and Colombia , plantain leaves are usually used to wrap tamales before and while cooking , and they can be used to wrap any kind of seasoned meat while cooking to keep the flavor in .