In celebration of yet another holiday that Americans have usurped in order to indulge in weekday drinking and boost imported beer sales, we will be hosting our own little fiesta. The menu will include Gazpacho in Avocado Boats, Green Chicken Enchiladas, a nifty version of Caprese Salad that calls for strawberries instead of tomatoes, and plenty of themed booze! I am a strong supporter of any adopted holiday that encourages this kind of behavior, and Cinco de Mayo is certainly not an exception!
Does anybody really know the history of Cinco De Mayo and why we as hedonistic Americans choose to celebrate it? Contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with Mexican independence from Spain (September 15, 1810). It memorializes the 5th of May, 1862 when the underdog Mexican army defeated the invading French army. By preventing the French invasion, the Mexicans also helped to prevent Napoleon III from supplying the rebel confederates with French soldiers (a contributing factor to the Confederate Army's defeat at Gettysburg 14 months later).
Perhaps we are more deserving of this commercial holiday than I thought...but I am still on board primarily for infused margaritas and mini Corona bottle necklaces. Feliz Cinco De Mayo!
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