Similar to Mexican tamales, pamonha is a traditional dish made with fresh corn. The dough, or more precisely the paste, is made out of grated and juiced corn. It is tightly wrapped in fresh corn husks and cooked in boiling water. Depending on the ingredients, pamonhas can be either sweet or savory.

The savory varieties are usually prepared plain or made with chopped meat, sausages, or cheese. The sweet version of pamonhas is often made by incorporating coconut milk or coconut pulp in the dough. Pamonhas are traditionally eaten all year round in Brazil, but they are usually associated with Festa Junina, the annual Brazilian festivity celebrated throughout June, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of Brazilian winter.

The snack was primarily sold as a street food item, but nowadays the tradition has disappeared, and pamonhas are usually prepared at home or served in traditional Brazilian restaurants.