It’s Cinco de Mayo, which means it’s time to smash the avocado, make some salsa, cut some lime wedges (maybe a few extra for those tequila shots), grill or sauté veggies for fajitas, and make your favorite Mexican dish. Despite what many think, Cinco de Mayo is not a crippling day for vegans or vegetarians. There are endless possibilities that are just as good, if not healthier and better, than their meaty opponents. Get creative and see what flavors you can place in the foldable, versatile, vehicle that is a tortilla.
Before we continue, let’s take a second to note that Cinco de Mayo is an unofficial, regional holiday in Puebla, Mexico. It’s a day that has been transformed by Americans into a day of drinking and Mexican-themed shenanigans. Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the Battle of Puebla, actually occurred 52 years later than the actual Mexican Independence Day of September 16. Regardless, Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity to steep yourself in Mexican-American culture and cuisine, so get to cooking!
If you don’t feel like hitting the floor after the fourth tequila shot and would much rather eat yourself into a food coma (is it coincidental that coma is the word for eat in Spanish???), it’s important to have a variety of dishes that range from hot to cold, spicy to mild. Dips are always an important part of a fiesta. Try a tomatillo salsa or an avocado mango salsa, and whip up a mild guacamole to soothe the palate.
Now for the main dish, the pièce de résistance. This dish can either be labor-intensive or a quick fix. You can make veggie tacos, enchiladas, or you can get a little fancy with a spaghetti squash burrito bowl. There are all kinds of flavorful Mexican mains that you can make and put your own spin on.
After dinner you are faced with the crucial decision of whether or not you want a desert. Who are we kidding? Deserts are always delicious and a must, especially at a party! Try this vegan flan to add a bit of sweetness to the end of your meal. After you’ve delighted yourself with desert, throw back a non-alcoholic margarita (even do this during dinner) and break out the music to be merry and dance the night away. Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody!
