It’s Cinco de Mayo 2012!

Hi everyone!

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine today 🙂 It’s always nice to have a sunny weekend like this, especially when winter is almost here.

Today is 5th of May which is Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Woo..what is Cinco de Mayo?  Don’t worry if you have no clue! I, too, didn’t know about it until recently as it’s not very common in Australia. That’s why I published this post, to know more and talk a little bit about this Mexican festival, Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo (‘the fifth of the May’) commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla, which happened during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). It is a primary celebration particularly in Puebla, Mexico and US cities with a significant Mexican population.

Started with a relative small celebration in Mexico itself, it has evolved into a rather large Mexican culture and heritage celebration for Mexican-American populations. It has become very popular in the US (esp. along the US-Mexico borderline, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston). At this time of the year, traditions like parades, Mexican folk dancing, mariachi music performances and street festivals are celebrated.

In Mexico itself, it is not a federal holiday as it is not Mexican Independence Day. Many people have confused themselves between Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day. So, just to clarify, Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day (16 September).

So what about foods? Mexicans are famous for its food and culture tight relation. Almost every festival or celebration is associated with different types of dishes.

Cinco de Mayo is often associated with traditional Mexican foods such as tacos and mole poblano.

Now, down to the foods business 😛 I have found Cinco De Mayo recipes collection on the Tomato Tart blog. There are 39 recipes, starting from drinks, sides, appetizers, salads, mains and desserts. Awesome! Visit the Tomato Tart: 39 Recipes for Cinco De Mayo!

Also, if you’re feeling more salsa-ish (LOL), try this Black Bean & Corn Salsa from Teaspoon of Spice! and…if tonight the temperature starts to drop, maybe you could try this Mexican Chicken Soup from Shutterbean 🙂

Choices, choices, choices! Too many choices! But I think I’m gonna try out the black bean & salsa tonight…and the guacamole hummus (from the Tomato Tart) and perhaps the soup (haha I’m being too ambitious here). I will let you know how it turns out!

Happy Cinco De Mayo 2012!

If you are trying out the Cinco de Mayo recipes too, please share and let us know how you go 🙂

References:

1. Cinco de Mayo. [Internet]. Thu May 03 08:24:33 EDT 2012. The History Channel website. Available from: http://www.history.com/topics/cinco-de-mayo [Accessed Thu May 03 08:24:33 EDT 2012].
2. Mexonline. The history of cinco de mayo. Mexonline: The Oldest and Most Trusted Online Guide to Mexico; 2007[cited 2012 04 May]; Available from http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm.
3. Image of mole poblano from http://www.coolchile.co.uk/mole-poblano-chicken-taco.