What is 5 de Mayo celebration?
5 de Mayo is a relevant day for
the Hispanic community in the United States. The holiday, which is celebrated nationwide,
is related with the Mexican-American community as a day to show pride on
Mexican heritage, culture, and specially food, drinks and music. Nonetheless,
the history behind such May the 5th., goes back to Puebla, Mexico, and it is
based on the victory that in such day in 1862, the Mexican troops had over a
foreign invader.
What we find specially interesting
of this celebration is the history behind it, and the repercussions it had not
only in Puebla Mexico where the events took place, but across the border here in the United States. This
occurrences in Mexico -as our Culture (food included)- are intertwined with
History regardless boundaries and nationalities, mixing ingredients, which provide
us today with great and unique flavors in Latin American cuisine.
The story/history is as follows: In
1861, Mexico paused payments due to Spain, England and France as foreign debts.
In the attempt to collect debt, European armies invaded Mexico late that same
year. Although Spain and England withdrew early 1862, after reaching agreements
with Mexican government, France remained in the Country seeking to established
a government favorable to European interest. Worth noting, that one of European
major interests was not only to collect debt from Mexico, but also to have
direct and more significant presence and influence into the events that were
taking place in the United States: The Civil War - which as Abraham Lincoln
explained that same year- was itself a test for the constitutional system and
Democracy.
5 de Mayo and Mexican Kitchen
France, under Napoleon III, successfully
established direct influence in Mexico (1862-1867). In 1863 Maximillian of
Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, accepted to become Emperor of Mexico supported
by France army and Mexican conservatives. However, France long term plans,
faced an important delay thanks to the Mexican victory in Puebla that 5 de Mayo
of 1862, which kept at bay the European interests and capabilities to weight
into the United States Civil War. This delay helped the Union plans to keep
France out of the conflict.
It is believed that French
baguette was introduced to Mexico during this period. More romantic stories account
that it was Maximillian’s cooks while in Mexico, who invented the shorted
version of the French baguette and created a Mexican versions later known as “bolillo”
and “teleras”.
As their French relative, both “telera”
and “bolillo” are white savory salty breads that must have a crunchy
crust, and a soft inside which in Spanish is called “miga” or “migajón”.
Tortas & Molletes. Mexican versions.
Mexican cuisine prepares with such
breads, 2 staple dishes: the “Tortas” -Mexican sandwiches- and “Molletes”.
There is a “torta” for
every occasion and budget. You can fill it with whatever you want and you can
name it after the ingredients you use, especially after the protein you filled
it with, such as the popular “Torta de Jamón”, popularized throughout
all Latin American by the genius Chespirito and his great TV character in “El
Chavo del 8” who was a huge fan of this particular Torta.
No less important is the delicious
and versatile Mollete. A popular option made with lightly toast sliced
bread topped with pinto beans and cheese. It is a huge version of the Italian “bruschetta”
that would work as an appetizer. It is also related to Spanish “montados”,
especially those from Andalucia region. Since you could top it with your
favorite ingredients, vegetables and proteins, it is a versatile and popular
dish for breakfast.
Are you interested in some Tortas
and Molletes recipes? Please, follow us and visit our recipe sections, which
will be opening soon. Meanwhile, Bon appetite and Happy 5 de Mayo.