Gladys, you're the first person I've ever known to successfully explain the recipe for pasteles! My mother used to make a batch at least once a year and I've always loved them. For most of her life, Mom used a hand grater to make the masa and had skinned knuckles for days afterward! Finally, she learned how to get good results using an electric blender.

Surprisingly, my Dad also knows how to make pasteles, so since Mom passed away, he's managed to keep me supplied with them. (By the way, both my parents were born in San Turce.)