Textbook Tamales

Soroptimist International of Camarillo is borrowing from the Latin tradition of feasting on tamales during the holidays to raise money for its scholarship programs.

The organization’s Holiday Tamale Sale is offering several versions of the cornmeal-encased treats, which customers can order by the dozen or half-dozen.

“These are really gourmet quality,” said Judy Chatwin, the chapter’s co-chairwoman. “There is no lard and no preservatives.”

The choices: beef with garlic and New Mexico chile; grilled chicken with Anaheim green chile and cilantro; pork carnitas with green chile; black beans with jalapeno jack cheese and scallions; and for the sweet-toothed, Belgian chocolate with raspberries and pecans.

The chapter contracted with a Los Angeles business to supply the tamales, which are quick-frozen after the cooking process.

These delicacies are meant to be devoured now--in Latin America tamales are as big a part of the holidays as egg nog is here--but leftovers or extras will keep in the freezer for up to six months or in the refrigerator for about two weeks, Chatwin said.

Ready to make a purchase? Phone orders can be made on or before Dec. 3. The pickup date is Dec. 18. The pickup location is Spare Time Well Spent, 596 Mobil Ave., Camarillo.

Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura and Thousand Oaks area residents can have their orders delivered by appointment. An extra charge applies, depending on your location: Camarillo, $5; Oxnard, Ventura and Thousand Oaks, $10. Order 10 dozen or more and your delivery fee is waived.

All orders come nicely dressed in a handcrafted gift bag and include eight ounces of red sauce--or chocolate raspberry sauce to accompany the dessert version--per half-dozen. Additional sauce can be purchased for $2 per eight ounces.

Proceeds from the sale will help fund women reentering the work force, a youth citizenship award, the Amy McAvoy Memorial Award, named for the Ventura artist who died earlier this year at the age of 80 of cancer, and other programs.

DETAILS

Soroptimist International of Camarillo is holding its Holiday Tamale Sale. Phone orders can be placed on or before Dec. 3. Orders are to picked up Dec. 18 at Spare Time Well Spent, 596 Mobil Ave., Camarillo. Delivery is also available for an extra charge to Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura and Thousand Oaks area residents. Orders of 10 dozen or more include free delivery. To place an order or for more information, call Judy Chatwin at 482-7055 or Susan Peterson at 987-7575. Cost: $14 per half-dozen; $25 per dozen.

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Ming Dynasty: All you Food Network junkies may be interested to know that popular television chef Ming Tsai will appear Thursday at the Westlake Culinary Institute.

Tsai will hold a free book-signing and cooking demonstration at 5 and 6:30 p.m. His new book, “Blue Ginger,” features recipes from his tony bistro in Wellesley, Mass., also of the same name.

Tsai will demonstrate and prepare his rock shrimp lollipops for everyone to sample. Because of an expected high turnout, call ahead to reserve space and any cookbooks for signing.

The institute is at 4643 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village. To reserve space or for more information, call (818) 991-3940.

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Family Flavored: The folks at Dreyer’s are under the impression that ice cream has a special ability to comfort during difficult times, bring out the kid in us during special occasions and provide a moment of bonding for family members and friends.

To prove their assumption, the company is having a “Cool Family Moments” essay contest, which invites families to “share the special role ice cream has played in their lives.”

Contestants can describe their Cool Family Moments in 250 words or less, or submit a two-minute video or an original drawing. Entries will be judged and awarded in each of five themed categories: Chilling Out, Family Fun, Happiness, Humor and Romance.

The winners will receive a new freezer stocked with a year’s supply of ice cream. Second-place winners will receive half a gallon of ice cream every month for one year. Five hundred runners-up will win a free half-gallon of ice cream.

All entries must be postmarked or received on Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream’s Web site by Wednesday.

All entries should include name, address, phone number and age (if under 18). If the entrant is younger than 18, a parent or guardian’s signature is required. Only one entry per family. If entered as a family effort, all names must be listed.

Send entries to: Cool Family Moments; Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream; 5929 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618. Entries can be submitted on the Web site: https://www.dreyers.com/coolmoments.

Rodney Bosch writes about the restaurant scene in Ventura County and outlying points. He can be reached at 653-7572, fax 653-7576 or by e-mail at: rodney.bosch@latimes.com.