Cinco de Mayo
It is interesting that Wikipedia has had to “lock” its Cinco de Mayo page. I suspect it may be related to the sudden appearance of sites opposing the celebration of this semi-holiday.
In Mexico Cinco de Mayo or Batalla de Puebla, is only really celebrated in the state of Puebla, where the battle took place.
The Mexican army won on May the 5th, 1862, but on May the 8th the attack resumed and the French Foreign Legion captured Puebla and then went on to Mexico City.
It has the status of St. Patrick’s Day in the US, an excuse to eat different food, and drink different booze, and be obnoxious show an interest in other cultures.
Margaritas, tacos, and the destruction of piñatas, that’s what it is really about.
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I left this little anecdote out of my posting at BBWW in acknowledgement of the holiday, but when I worked in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we had a guy in our office who was of Mexican ancestry who asked, in all sincerity, “When is Cinco de Mayo?” Needless to say we considered him to be one burrito shy of a full combo platter…
Maybe too many margaritas?
On that note, Happy Cinco de Mayo to all, and have a margarita on me.
On that note, Happy Cinco de Mayo to all, and have a margarita on me. – andante
andante, who could resist an offer like that! Frozen, no salt, please. One of our local chain Mexican restaurants offers perfectly decent ‘ritas for a buck each with purchase of a meal; you don’t even have to break the bank to treat us all.
There is one Mexican restaurant here in Miami that I consider slightly worthy of the name. (I don’t know how good their margaritas are since I don’t partake.) Other than that one, I really miss the fire and flavor of good New Mexican food. Yummy.
We actually have a decent Mexican restaurant not too far from here. I am no judge as to authenticity, but they serve oversized, potent margaritas. Make mine raspberry. And after one or two of those, who cares about authenticity or price or anything else??!!!
MB, the first New Mexican food I ever had startled me. I ordered chili. When they brought the bowl of watery beans with chili peppers to my table, I politely did not turn up my nose, but I had my doubts. A half hour later, my sinuses clear and the top of my head floating a couple of inches above its normal position, I knew I was in love. Unfortunately, I don’t know a place in Houston that offers that style of food. That was over 15 years ago; maybe I should look again.
Even with the influx of Hispanics and the large Thai presence, most ethnic food in our area is disturbingly bland. They still use ground rather than shredded meat and tend to Bell peppers. It is weird given that the Gulf Coast is the home of Tobasco sauce and Cajun is not exactly spiceless cuisine.
Everything is available, but you have to make it yourself.
The problem with eating Mexican food and not drinking alcohol, that that alcohol is the only thing that will clear the oils from the real peppers.
The problem with eating Mexican food and not drinking alcohol, that that alcohol is the only thing that will clear the oils from the real peppers.
Thought that was the purpose of the sour cream and/or guacamole?
Oh, and I’m with andante. Make mine raspberry. Or mango.
That’s supposed to line your stomach. Get a habañero seed caught in your teeth and it’s time for a near frozen Corona.