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 honoring the deceased by building altars and visiting graves with gifts such as the favorite Mexican foods and favorite Mexican drinks of the deceased.

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.

A lot of people are under the impression than Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day but that is another holiday altogether and it is on September 16. Mexicans would say that Independence Day is their most important national holiday.

Favorite Mexican Holiday Foods

Certain foods are enjoyed on certain Mexican holidays but with a lot of holidays, such as Cinco de Mayo, Mexicans just prepare their favorite dishes rather than being limited to a specific meal. Mexican cookery combines Aztec, Mayan, traditional Mexical, Caribbean, French and Spanish influences amongst others and Mexicans are understandably proud of their culinary heritage.

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 cakes and Mexican wedding cookies are enjoyed at Mexican holidays and not just weddings. Rosca de Reyes is the name given to the festive bread made for January 6. The bread is shaped like a wreath and decorated with lemon, cherries, candied figs, and mango. A tiny baby Jesus doll figure is baked into the bread and whoever gets the figure in their slice must prepare the food for the next Mexican holiday, which is Candlemas 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.

Another thick, luxurious drink is atole, which can be, drank with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It contains fruit slices, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Many people are sadly unaware of what authentic Mexican recipes entail, partly because of the popularity of Mexican fast food and partly because not many people outside of Mexico really grasp what this exciting cuisine is all about. You do not have to wait for a Mexican holiday to try making some delicious Mexican inspired dishes!

Tags: cooking, diet, eating, family, food, food and drink, gardening, health, home, home-and-garden, lifestyles, mexican food, mexican recipes, recipe, recipes

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