Great reasons to celebrate with Mexican Food

Mexico is a country that really knows how to celebrate, and almost all Mexican celebrations include a very heavy focus on food. No special occasion in Mexico is complete without family and friends sharing food together. Many of the occasions that are celebrated globally across most cultures are marked with lavish festivities and delicious food. These include the following:
Birthdays,
Anniversaries,
Weddings,

On top of these, there are a myriad of localized feasts, festivals, saints days (santorals) and local celebrations (or ferias) depending on the area you find yourself in. Some of the most notable and food-oriented of these are a national Chili Cook-off, and festivals or fiestas devoted to Coffee and Guava’s, Olives and Amaranth Candy, Wine, Salsa, Pineapple, Rice and much more!

Let’s take some time for a deeper look into three food-centric holidays, some of the best reasons to celebrate with Mexican food!

Los Tres Reyes Magos – Three Kings Day

I’m outlining this holiday first, because it’s sort of a double whammy. Celebrating the 3 wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. Famous for it’s Rosca de Reyes or Three Kings Bread, Los Tres Reyes Magos comes with the built (or baked) in promise of another get together and meal. The bread has tiny plastic babies baked into it, and if you get a baby in your slice, you’re obligated to host a 2nd party by the 2nd of February (which marks the end of Mexico’s Holiday festivities.

Bread of the Dead – Pan de Muertos

Dia de Muertos or the Day of the Dead takes place in Mexico (and worldwide on a growing scale) on the last day of October and the 1st and 2nd of November. The goal is to celebrate the lives and memory of loved ones who have passed away, and is an excellent reason to gather around some good food. In Mexico, it’s traditional to bake a sweet and sometimes fruity bread in creative shapes; for example: skulls, angels or animals. The bread is baked from a yeasty dough, and the rolls are glazed and sprinkled with sugar.

Cinco de Mayo

Commemorating a Mexican military victory that took place in 1862, Cinco de Mayo (Literally: “Fifth of May”)is one of the most widely celebrated Mexican holidays, especially in the US and abroad. For those outside Mexico, it’s prominence eclipses even the Mexican day of Independence, which actually takes place in September. In Mexico, however, this is sometimes considered a bit of a mystery, and Cinco de Mayo takes a back seat to the real Independence Day. It is a very food-oriented holiday although perhaps the food is somewhat overshadowed by alcoholic beverages that are perhaps the highlight for some!

These are all excellent reasons to get some Mexican food and celebrate with your loved ones, so why not whip some traditional Mexican food up, or better yet, swing by and join the party at Benitos!