Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mexican Holidays
Food is an essential component in Mexican holidays and no self-respecting Mexican would celebrate one of his national holidays without enjoying the very best Mexican cuisine and Mexican drinks. One holiday that you might have heard about is Day of the Dead, which is on November 1 and 2. This holiday is when families get together to remember their dead loved ones.
Day of the Dead traditions include visiting loved ones’ graves to leave gifts of their favorite foods and drinks and building altars to honor them.
Cinco de Mayo is another famous holiday in Mexico. This is a regional holiday and especially close to the hearts of Mexicans living in Puebla because, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory over the French in 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.
Many people assume that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day but this is wrong because their Independence Day is September 16. Independence Day is perhaps the most important Mexican national holiday of all.
Mouthwatering Mexican Holiday Foods
Mexican cuisine is a wonderful blend of Aztec, Mayan, Spanish, French, Caribbean and traditional Mexican cookery and more and Mexicans are justifiably proud of their culinary heritage. Some foods are associated with specific Mexican holidays but with other Mexican holidays, such as Cinco de Mayo, the family just cooks up their favorite dishes for the occasion.
Often, the women will get together and prepare plenty of food for their Mexican holidays. Tamales are associated with Mexican celebrations because they take a long time to make. This is the reason why tamales are often made just a few times a year, in big batches. Steamed tamales often feature at Mexican parties.
Mexican wedding cookies and Mexican wedding cakes are popular at many holidays, not just weddings like the name implies. Rosca de Reyes is a festive bread made for January 6. The bread, which is shaped like a wreath, contains cherries, candied figs, mango, and lemon and contains a baby Jesus figurine. The person who gets the figurine in their slice has to make the food for Candlemas, which is on February 2.
Delicious Mexican Drinks
You might think the answer is Coronita and tequila but there are other drinks, which are popular in Mexico. Rompope is a good example and this thick, frothy beverage is a big like eggnog with rum, almond, and cinnamon flavors.
Atole is a thick drink, which is often served on Mexican holidays with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is flavored with cinnamon, sweetened with brown sugar, and topped with fruit. Atole is a very special and luxurious drink.
Traditional Mexican food is surprisingly easy to make and you do not have to wait until holiday time to enjoy Mexican delicacies. The ingredients are easy to find too. Mexicans love to eat with their families and the real gems of Mexican cookery are something that not many people are aware of, such as the delicious creamy Mexican drinks and their authentic tamale recipes.
