Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Fat Mama’s Tamales

Many people celebrate Cinco de Mayo but do they really know why?

May 5 commemorates the anniversary of Mexico defeating a French army at the Battle of Puebla (east-central Mexico, southeast of Mexico City) in 1862. The battle was fought because Mexico had defaulted on debt payments to European governments due to financial effects from internal issues. Napoleon III thought he would make an empire out of Mexico and tried to overtake it, but the smaller Mexican army defeated them, and thus were victorious.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, which is September 16, as many believe. In fact, May 5 is not really celebrated that much in Mexico, but it is around the world. There will be celebrations involving food, drink, music and activities throughout the globe.

So, how can you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Here are some suggestions:

What’s a celebration without food? These are the most common foods associated with Cinco de Mayo.

1. Mole Poblano has become the official dish of Cinco de Mayo. Mole is a rich sauce made from chilis and chocolate.
2. Tamales, undoubtedly the most iconic dish of Mexico, eaten on most holidays, makes a perfect dish for Cinco de Mayo. And where better to get tamales than Fat Mama’s Tamales, in the restaurant or order online.
3. Carnitas are often associated with festivals. It is stated that when they were first invented it would take a whole community to make them.
4. Chilaquiles are most commonly eaten for breakfast in Mexico.
5. Barbacoa are slow roasted meats over an open fire. Reserved mostly for holidays, you can find a different version of barbacoa in each region of Mexico.
6. Tacos. Period.
7. Mexican Street Corn or elotes, is popular as a street food. Corn is a staple in Mexican cooking.
8. Pozole has been around since the time of the ancient Aztecs. It is a soup/stew.
9. Horchata was thought to have been invented by ancient Egyptians but has been adopted in Mexico. It is a drink made up of milk, vanilla and cinnamon.
10. Margaritas make up almost 50% of all drinks ordered on Cinco de Mayo. Who knows how many are being made at parties. Tequila was only consumed by priests in the past and is called the nectar of the gods.You can make the best margaritas you ever drank with Fat Mama’s Knock You Naked Margarita Mix. Order yours today for Cinco de Mayo and for the whole year through!
11. Guacamole is a dish from the ancient Aztecs and is still a popular dish. It is estimated by the CA Avocado Commission that 87 million pounds of avocados will be eaten on Cinco de Mayo!

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo this year with food, drink, mariachi music, dance and in some places parades. Remember that Fat Mama’s Tamales has an online store or you can come in to the restaurant and celebrate with us.