Cinco de Mayo literally means “the Fifth of May” in Spanish, and is a relatively minor regional holiday celebrated in the state of Puebla, Mexico.
On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces under the command of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín defeated of French invaders at the Battle of Puebla. The victory was remarkable, because the French army, which hadn’t been defeated in nearly 50 years, was better equipped than Seguín’s army, and outnumbered the defending Mexicans two to one.
Despite the historical importance of this event, Cinco de Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico. Ironically, though, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has become a day for general celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, in much the same way St. Patrick’s Day has become a day to celebrate Irish culture.
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, an important day in Mexico, which actually falls on September 16.
Here are some spicy dishes to help you celebrate:
Tasty Desserts With A Mexican Flair
Chocolate Chili Brownies
Brownie Mix- 18-19 ounces
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies undrained
Frosting
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon chili seasoning mix
1 ½ to 2 tbsp. Milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8-inch square pan . Prepare brownies according to box directions. Stir in chilies at the end and mix well until well blended. Pour into baking pa and bake 25-30 minutes (or recommended time on box). Remove from pan to allow brownies to cool.
Blend powdered sugar and seasoning mix in small bowl. Stir in milk, adding more if desired consistency isn’t met. Spread on brownies. Slice then serve.
Dessert Empanadas
(Allow a day for the dough to stay in the refrigerator)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup fruit preserves (jam)
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
DAY BEFORE: Cream butter and cream cheese together until smoothly blended. Beat in the flour. Shape the dough into a smooth ball, wrap in foil or cling wrap, and refrigerate overnight or up to 7 days.
When ready to bake: Remove dough from refrigerator 30 minutes before you are ready to use it. Start heating oven to 375 degrees F. Roll the chilled dough thin. Cut with 3 or 4 inch round cookie cutter. Place small spoonful of jam in center of each round, moisten edges with water.
Fold round over and press edges together. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 15 to 20 minutes. Immediately roll in sugar mixed with cinnamon (traditional) OR in confectioners’ sugar if preferred.
Sandi Duncan is the Managing Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. 
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.
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