What is Cinco de Mayo? Here are the facts and three dishes you need to try

EVANSVILLE − Cinco De Mayo is the most widespread Mexican cultural celebration in the United States.

We talked to Abraham Brown, an owner of La Campirana, and Angel Segovia, owner of Jalisco Mexican Restaurant in Newburgh, about what it means to them.

What Cinco de Mayo isn’t

Both Brown and Segovia noted that Cinco de Mayo isn’t an official holiday in Mexico. And to dispel a popular misunderstanding, it’s not Mexico’s Independence Day (that is Sept. 16).

What Cinco de Mayo is

It is an important date, however. On May 5, 1862, Mexican fighters won a battle against an invading French army − the most powerful army in Europe at that time − near Puebla, Mexico.

“Here in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a popular celebration not so much for its original meaning, but as an opportunity to celebrate rich Mexican culture with colorful costumes, music and above all with its gastronomic expression,” Brown said.

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He sees both authentic Mexican and American-Mexican food as worthy dining destinations for Cinco de Mayo. While Tex-Mex food such as chimichangas and chicken on the beach might be of American origin, he acknowledges them as a culinary bridge that invites non-Hispanic Americans into a world of food rich in chiles, spices, and flavors that have made South-of-the-border-inspired food a favorite across the country.

Segovia looks at Cinco de Mayo the way we look at St. Patrick’s Day – a chance for everyone to be “Mexican for a day,” appreciate Mexican food and party Mexican style. He’s totally down with that.

“When I lived in Mexico, we learned about Cinco de Mayo in school but didn’t celebrate it or anything,” he said. “Honestly, people here in the U.S., they have it as an excuse and they drink. For Mexican restaurant owners, it’s great because we have really good business that day, so however they want to celebrate it, that’s good.”

Three Authentic Mexican dishes you really need to try

If you want to be Mexican for a day, stretch your taste buds a bit and try some authentic dishes you may not have had before. This year, Cinco de Mayo is on a Friday, and our first must-try dish, Caldo de Res, is often served on Saturday and Sunday only, so you may have to wait for May 6 to have it.

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Caldo de res

This is a beef soup that many don't think sounds typically "Mexican," because it isn't usually full of chilies, but has lots of veggies such as carrots, potatoes, zucchini and sweet corn on the cob.

It's a huge bowl of rich, clear beefy broth with maybe just a touch of chili, big chunks of vegetables and large pieces of beef slowly simmered until it's spoon tender.

To the side are tortillas and diced onion, cilantro and lime wedges for you to add as you like.

Sometimes a bowl of rice and red and/or green sauce is included as well. Soups such as caldo de res, or its counterpart caldo de pollo, (chicken soup), menudo and posole are most often served only on weekends. Look for them as specials at many restaurants that have an authentic Mexican section on the menu.

Ceviche

Authentic ceviche is a fish or shellfish mixture that is "cooked" with lime juice. "Cooked" is in quotation marks because the acid in the lime juice causes the delicate protein to turn white and firm up just as heat would, but it is not exposed to heat. (At Jalisco and some other restaurants, shrimp ceviche is made with cooked shrimp marinated with lime juice.)

It is finished with a mixture of fresh veggies and herbs usually containing diced tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeño and cilantro and served on a crispy tostada. It is a light. refreshing summer meal.

Sopes

Sopes are fried corn "boats" made of corn masa. Making them is a labor-intensive process.

First, thick disks of dough are par-cooked on the griddle to stiffen slightly, then removed and pinched by hand to form a lip around the edge. Then the shell is deep fried to crisp the outer surface, while the inside stays soft and moist, a bit like a tamale.

To serve, they are filled with a layer of refried beans, the taco filling meat of your choice, lettuce, veggie dressings and cheese. Toppings might vary slightly by restaurant.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: What is Cinco de Mayo? and three authentic Mexican dishes for you to try