Every nation has its own traditions, especially when it comes to food. Mexico is no different, having many unique Mexican food traditions. Mexican food customs include certain dishes, which are served on holidays and other special occasions, with some of these dishes being well known as classic Mexican recipes all over the world.
Mexican Holidays And Recipes
Cinco de Mayo is the most well known of any of the country's national holidays. Every May 5th, celebrations are held in the Mexican state of Puebla - though it is considered a minor event in other parts of the country. Many people celebrate this holiday in the US, with a lot of Americans mistakenly thinking that this holiday commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain. However, Cinco de Mayo is actually a holiday celebrating a victory over the French in Puebla back in 1862!
Outside of the state of Puebla, the holiday is a minor one - though there are some special Cinco de Mayo dishes, which are served on this day, especially in Puebla. This state is the region of Mexico where mole, an important ingredient in many traditional Mexican recipes was developed; and this is a popular sauce nationwide.
One traditional Cinco de Mayo recipe often made in Puebla for this holiday is turkey cooked in a mole sauce. This would be mole poblano in particular (the name means "Puebla-style mole"), a rich, nutty and spicy sauce which is worth every bit of the considerable time and effort needed to make it. Turkey is a popular food in Puebla and in fact, in much of the country. Turkey shows up not only here, but also in many Mexican recipes, even some of Mexico's other special holiday dishes.
Christmas And The Feast Of Epiphany
Mexico is a predominantly Catholic country, which celebrates Christmas (of course) as well as the feast days of many saints and other religious holidays. No country celebrates like Mexico, especially when it comes to holiday food! Christmas Mexican food traditions include the traditional Christmas morning "posada," a sort of morning dinner party.
The traditional posada meal might include dishes like turkey soup, codfish with gravy, punch with marshmallows, and mashed potatoes served with a spicy cranberry sauce. Making this already festive holiday meal even more so is the presence of a piata, something which adds a fun Mexican flair to the holiday.
Epiphany is a holiday, which is celebrated in Mexico with festivity and food and has some Mexican food traditions of its own. On this day, a ring-shaped cake is served, a tradition introduced by the Spanish. Hot chocolate is traditionally served, a treat, which is native to the Americas.
Of course, no discussion of Mexican food traditions and Mexican food history would be complete without a mention of Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican "day of the dead." This is the Mexican celebration of All Saints Day on November first and there are special dishes eaten such as candied pumpkin, pan de muerto - bread which is baked, glazed, and decorated with colored sugar. Smaller pieces of dough are prepared in the shape of bones and skulls to decorate these holiday loaves.
However, sugar skulls are without a doubt the best known of Mexico's food traditions surrounding the day of the dead. These are skull shaped candies, which are made by pressing sugar into a mold. These candies are often decorated with great care, making for a holiday treat, which is so beautifully decorated that you may not want to eat them!
The food traditions of every nation reflect their unique culture, something which Mexican food traditions certainly do. The country's amalgam of new world and old world ingredients, recipes and cooking methods have resulted in a culture - and a set of traditional foods which are an integral part of Mexican life and culture.
Mexican Holidays And Recipes
Cinco de Mayo is the most well known of any of the country's national holidays. Every May 5th, celebrations are held in the Mexican state of Puebla - though it is considered a minor event in other parts of the country. Many people celebrate this holiday in the US, with a lot of Americans mistakenly thinking that this holiday commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain. However, Cinco de Mayo is actually a holiday celebrating a victory over the French in Puebla back in 1862!
Outside of the state of Puebla, the holiday is a minor one - though there are some special Cinco de Mayo dishes, which are served on this day, especially in Puebla. This state is the region of Mexico where mole, an important ingredient in many traditional Mexican recipes was developed; and this is a popular sauce nationwide.
One traditional Cinco de Mayo recipe often made in Puebla for this holiday is turkey cooked in a mole sauce. This would be mole poblano in particular (the name means "Puebla-style mole"), a rich, nutty and spicy sauce which is worth every bit of the considerable time and effort needed to make it. Turkey is a popular food in Puebla and in fact, in much of the country. Turkey shows up not only here, but also in many Mexican recipes, even some of Mexico's other special holiday dishes.
Christmas And The Feast Of Epiphany
Mexico is a predominantly Catholic country, which celebrates Christmas (of course) as well as the feast days of many saints and other religious holidays. No country celebrates like Mexico, especially when it comes to holiday food! Christmas Mexican food traditions include the traditional Christmas morning "posada," a sort of morning dinner party.
The traditional posada meal might include dishes like turkey soup, codfish with gravy, punch with marshmallows, and mashed potatoes served with a spicy cranberry sauce. Making this already festive holiday meal even more so is the presence of a piata, something which adds a fun Mexican flair to the holiday.
Epiphany is a holiday, which is celebrated in Mexico with festivity and food and has some Mexican food traditions of its own. On this day, a ring-shaped cake is served, a tradition introduced by the Spanish. Hot chocolate is traditionally served, a treat, which is native to the Americas.
Of course, no discussion of Mexican food traditions and Mexican food history would be complete without a mention of Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican "day of the dead." This is the Mexican celebration of All Saints Day on November first and there are special dishes eaten such as candied pumpkin, pan de muerto - bread which is baked, glazed, and decorated with colored sugar. Smaller pieces of dough are prepared in the shape of bones and skulls to decorate these holiday loaves.
However, sugar skulls are without a doubt the best known of Mexico's food traditions surrounding the day of the dead. These are skull shaped candies, which are made by pressing sugar into a mold. These candies are often decorated with great care, making for a holiday treat, which is so beautifully decorated that you may not want to eat them!
The food traditions of every nation reflect their unique culture, something which Mexican food traditions certainly do. The country's amalgam of new world and old world ingredients, recipes and cooking methods have resulted in a culture - and a set of traditional foods which are an integral part of Mexican life and culture.
About the Author:
When you think of Mexican food recipes, which ones come to mind? Many people would think of tacos, fajitas and burritos although Mexican salsas, Mexican salads and Mexican soups are all wonderful too. Mexican meals are great to make because they use fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs and spices and they are easy.
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