Tamales Azules de Elote

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook corn in the boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes for American sweet corn and about 30 minutes for Mexican elote. Remove corn from water and let sit until cool enough to handle. Carefully remove husks from each ear of corn, keeping each husk whole without tearing. Transfer husks to a plate and set aside until ready to assemble. Cut kernels from cobs and place in a large bowl; cut cobs in half and reserve.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir masa, butter, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ½ teaspoon chile de árbol and 2 cups water until a soft, sticky dough forms. Add cooked corn and stir until completely combined. Cover the mixture and let sit for 30 minutes and up to 3 hours. In a small saucepan over high heat, bring piloncillo, allspice, canela, a large pinch chile de árbol, and 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened and very fragrant, about 12 minutes. Remove the syrup from heat and add the orange zest; let the mixture cool cool. Strain spiced syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring glass; discard spices.
3. On a large cutting board or flat work surface, arrange 1 of the reserved corn husks so the wide end is closest to you. Fill a ½ cup measure with masa and corn mixture and place masa onto the husk. Use a spoon (or fingers) to create a 5-inch log in the center running up the length of the husk; leave the narrow end clean. Keeping the wide end of the husk closest to you, fold one side of the husk over the masa, then fold the other side over to cover. Holding the tamale seam-side up, fold the narrow, pointed end of the husk away from you and under the tamal. Set the closed tamal on a rimmed baking sheet, seam-side up. Repeat with remaining husks and masa.
4. Line a large saucepan with a few remaining husks. Stack 2 to 3 halved reserved corncobs in the center of the pot. Using the cobs as support, prop tamales upright, with the folded end down and the seam side facing up, around cobs; this will take 4 to5 tamales. Continue stacking tamales around the cobs, leaning them against one another, they will look like a tamale tent around the cobs. Pour 1¼ cup water and ¼ teaspoon salt into pot, being careful not to get any inside tamales. Bring liquid to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover pot and simmer the tamales, undisturbed, adding more water as needed to keep some liquid in pot, 45 minutes.
5. After 45 minutes, remove one tamal from pot; let it cool for 5 minutes. (If you don’t let it rest before checking, masa will stick to husk and appear gummy.) Remove the husk of the cooled tamal; if masa sticks to husk, it’s not ready. If that happens, carefully refold the tamal and return it to the pot. Cook the tamales for 5 minutes more and check one again. If husk peels back easily, tamales are done. Remove from heat, uncover, and let sit 10 minutes before unwrapping. Serve the tamales topped with crema, spiced syrup, queso fresco, and additional chile de árbol if desired.