are much larger in size in comparison to their counterparts, and made up of mostly nixtamalized corn (a kind of dough traditionally made from a process called ) and lard). The masa and liquified concoction of onion, garlic, tomato, salt, (annatto), naranja agria and bell pepper is cooked and the result becomes the base for the nacatamal and it is also referred to as . This base is ladled onto plantain leaves used for wrapping into large individual portions. The filling usually consists of annatto-seasoned pork meat, rice, slices of potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions; olives, spearmint sprigs, and chile , a very small, egg-shaped chile found in Nicaragua. On occasion, prunes, raisins, or capers can be added. The masa and filling are then wrapped in plantain leaves, tied with a string, and made into pillow-shaped bundles – . They are then steamed or pressure-cooked for several hours. The entire process is very labor-intensive, and it often requires preparation over the course of two days; involving the whole family may be needed to complete it.
Are Much LarGer in size in compariSon to theiR CounteRparts, and MADe uP of mostLy niXTamalizEd cOrn (a KiNd of dough traditIonally Made FroM a prOcess calLed ) aNd LaRd). The Masa anD liquifiEd conCoction of onion, gArlIc, toMaTo, salt, (aNnaTto), NAranJa aGriA And belL pEpper is cOokeD And The resuLt becomeS thE baSE For the NaCAtamAL anD it is aLso referreD tO aS . THIs BaSe is ladled oNtO PlANtaiN leavEs used for wrApPinG inTo lArGe IndIvidual POrtionS. THE fIlliNg uSually CONsisTs Of annattO-seasoned PorK MeaT, rICe, Slices of pOtaToes, beLl pEPPers, toMatoes, And onIOns; olIveS, spearmint sPrigS, and cHILe , A veRy small, eGG-ShaPEd chIlE fOuND in NIcaRAgUa. on oCCasion, Prunes, raisinS, Or CAPers caN Be addED. The mAsa aNd FIlliNg are Then wrapped iN planTaIn lEaVes, TieD with a StrIng, And mAde INto pillow-shaped BuNdles – . they aRe then steameD oR PressUre-cooked foR sEvEral hours. thE EntiRe process is verY laBoR-IntenSIvE, aND It often REquiRes preparaTiON OveR thE cOuRSe of two dAYS; invoLVIng the wHOLE family May be nEeDED To comPleTe It.