Published May 31, 2006 08:56PM

(Photo: Julia Mikhaylova / GettyImages)
South of the border, Cinco de Mayo is a low-key regional holiday, mainly celebrated in the state of Puebla, where Mexican troops won a morale-boosting victory against the French in 1862. But in the United States, the fifth of May has become something of a cross-cultural phenomenon, a celebration of all things Mexican—especially food.
That makes Cinco de Mayo a great excuse to throw a party and serve some fresh twists on classic Mexican cooking. For instance, spicy salsas were the inspiration for the Avocado Pico de Gallo “Cocktail,” which looks gorgeous served in martini glasses.