Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5^th also called the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla; this holiday is celebrated in some parts of Mexico – mostly in the United states. It commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III.

History of Cinco de Mayo

In the year 1861 Mexico declared a provisional delay period on the pay back of foreign debts. English, Spanish, and French troops then invaded the country. By the year of 1862, in April, the English and Spanish troops had withdrawn from the country, but the French troops remained. With the support of the rich landowners, they together attempted to establish a monarchy under Maximilian of Austria whom was the archduke of Austria and the emperor of Mexico.

The person who was famous for the battle of Cinco de Mayo was general Ignacio Zaragoza and his poorly equipped troops. Many people think Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican tradition but really Americans celebrate it along with us.

Foods we eat on Cinco de Mayo:

We eat lots of yummy food; from sweet to spicy foods, but overall great foods. Listed below are some dishes we eat on this day.

Tacos de Barbacoa:

Barbacoa is traditionally referred to lamb or goat which is slow-roasted for several hours in a pit that is topped with maguey leaves over an open fire. Each region of Mexico has its own unique take on barbacoa, and it’s yet another Mexican dish, barbacoa is made from the meat off the cows whole head. You can also add cilantro, onion, and hot sauce to top off the taco. Most of the times people eat their tacos with double corn tortilla, others eat it with just one.

Tamales:

Tamales are made of a dough called masa. In order to make the masa you combine flour, salt, and lard mixture. You beat it until it is throughly mixed. The tamales can be filled with chicken, pork, or beef – which ever you’d like. The mixture is steamed for 1 to 2 hours in a corn husk or a banana leaf. You can make red chili pork tamales or tamales verdes de pollo.

Horchata:

This drink is also very popular and traditional for the mexicans, it is sweet but very good you can’t get enough of it. Horchata is made up ofwhite rice soaked in water, once it is done it is then flavored with cinnamon and sugar is added to make it sweet.

We hope that you celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us this year, we hope you have a blast enjoying some traditional foods we eat on this day.