Cinco de Mayo is always a festive occasion and is celebrated on May 5th in both the United States and Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla. The holiday commemorates Mexico’s unexpected victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Many Mexican Americans look at Cinco de Mayo as a day of pride and for honoring Mexican heritage and culture. Traditions often comprise of festivals, folk dancing, music, parades and of course, food! Whether you plan to go big with the celebrations this year, one thing you can definitely partake in is the delicious Mexican cuisine!
The holiday is the perfect time to host a party; all you really need is good company, fun music and great food. From favorites like soft tacos to new creations like Hatch Chile guacamole, we’ve got eight scrumptious ways to enjoy Cinco de Mayo. We incorporate plenty of fresh ingredients as well as delicious chiles for adding the heat found in so many traditional Mexican dishes.
Slow-Cooked Stove-Top Pork Roast
A simple pork roast that’s packed with flavor and fall-off-the-bone tender, our recipe is versatile and can be used in tacos, tostadas, burritos or enchiladas. Dried Pasilla Chiles, Dried New Mexico Chiles, Dried De Arbol Chiles and delicious spices lend themselves to adding plenty of heat and flavor to the pork. The meat is easy to shred and tastes divine with fresh salsa, avocados and sour cream. This recipe is taken from The Great Pepper Cookbook, which also has many amazing recipes that would be perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
When it comes to a Cinco de Mayo celebration, you may find yourself cooking for more than one person. Our Chile Relleno Casserole is an easy and efficient way to serve up this traditional Mexican dish during a party. Pasilla Chiles take on a smoky, earthy flavor when roasted and combined with a fluffy layer of eggs and melted cheese on top is a dish fit for any Cinco de Mayo gathering. Garnish with fresh jalapenos on top for an extra kick.
Cinco de Mayo just isn’t complete without tacos. And plus, the holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, which means it’s also Taco Tuesday! Tacos make great party food because they’re delicious, filling and easy to prepare in large quantities. Chicken gets a fiesta makeover in this delightful recipe and is combined with Red Fresno chiles and a tangy tomatillo sauce to create these delightful mini soft tacos. This recipe is a great way to keep dinner light and healthy during the Mexican holiday.
What’s a Cinco de Mayo party, or any party at all, for that matter, without guacamole? As a quintessential side dish, guacamole is always expected to make an appearance during a celebration dinner or gathering. Our Hatch Chile Guacamole actually doesn’t require fresh Hatch Chiles and instead, gets its heat from our Hatch Chile Powder. Simply prepare a classic guacamole using fresh organic avocados, Organic Roma Tomatoes and add a generous dash of the powder. This recipe is taken from Hatch Chile Cookbook.
What can possibly be better than salsa? The answer is a Five Pepper Salsa. While tomatoes are a commonly used ingredient, we use favorites like jalapeños, bell peppers, Organic Vine Sweet Mini Peppers, and Anaheim Chile peppers to make this salsa. Perfect for dipping chips and layering on top of tacos and tostadas, this salsa boasts a mild sweet heat is sure to be a hit at your Cinco de Mayo party.
Roasted corn gets the spotlight in this festive Corn Salsa recipe and adds a tasty twist to your Cinco de Mayo food spread. Roasting the corn brings out its natural sweetness while adding organic tomatoes, jalapenos and Red Fresno chiles livens up its flavor. To roast the corn, you can either bake it in the oven or grill it over a flame. Either way, the results are simply spectacular.
Grilled Fruit Kabobs on Sugar Cane Swizzle Sticks
Make dessert for Cinco de Mayo a sweet and colorful one. Fruit Kabobs are the perfect excuse to bring the party outside and grilling the fruit enhances their natural sugars. You can use your favorite fruits but we recommend using ones with lots of sugar such as pineapples, mangoes, kiwi and raspberries. And if the sweetness of the fruits aren’t enough, our Sugar Cane Swizzle Sticks are packed with natural sugar cane juice that complements their grilled, caramelized flavor.
Agua Fresca mean “fresh water” in Spanish and is a light, fruity drink that’s perfect during Cinco de Mayo, especially if you’re taking the party outdoors. It’s simple to make by blending fruit juice with water, sugar and lime juice and serving it chilled over ice. Try serving a variety of juicy agua frescas such as Jamaica, mango, watermelon, mango and even lychee. Whipping up a few batches at home before your Cinco de Mayo celebration will keep your guests happy and refreshed.