Cuban Cuisine

Description of Cuban cuisine

Peasant cuisine the basis of traditional Cuban cuisine. fried or simmered dishes predominate here. The recipes contain ingredients such as beans, rice, meat, vegetables. To give the dishes a special taste, various sauces, aromatic herbs and spices added to them.

^{Cuban cuisine influenced by African, Creole and Spanish cultures.}

There is also a special Sofrito blend that consists of onions, green peppers, oregano, garlic and ground pepper, fried in olive oil. Thanks to this additive, the food becomes rich in taste. Even fruits in Cuba, most often a banana or pineapple, served fried and with a special sauce.

Root vegetables are frequent guests on the Cuban table, for example, yucca, yams (sweet potatoes), taro. They are easy to find throughout Latin America. They use as a side dish to various dishes. Meat and poultry most often marinated in citrus juice (mostly lemon) – this gives the food a slight sour taste.

Features and distinctive features

One of the hallmarks of Cuban cuisine is the addition of a large amount of seafood to the dishes. The proximity to the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean justifies this.

Fishing in Cuba is one of the key sectors of the economy, which is why the island has many fish markets and restaurants with a variety of seafood on the menu.

Cubans not used to Western products. For example, they are not familiar with soda, candy, cakes, ketchup and mayonnaise. However, this fact does not in the least speak about the meager diet of local residents, on the contrary, Cubans are avid meat eaters. They can roast and bake meat, adding a variety of spices to it. Therefore, the Cubans practically do not have chronic diseases caused by the type of diet.

The island’s national drink, rum, cannot be ignored either. It made from sugarcane juice and molasses (a by-product of sugar production). Young rum, which a high alcohol content, added to cocktails such as the famous mojito or Cuba Libre. Rum, which aged in oak barrels for 5-7 years, consumed neat and preferably with ice.

The history of the development of Cuban cuisine

Cuban cuisine is a fusion of world traditions. More than one nation has influenced local recipes. In the course of the development of this island state, dishes acquired uniqueness and originality.

How Spain influenced Cuban cuisine

With the beginning of the era of great geographical discoveries, the colonization of America began. This event also affected the island state. In 1492 the Spaniards first landed on Cuban soil. The conquistadors brought cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, goats, as well as ducks and chickens to the island. This allowed the locals to get to know different types of meat and learn how to grow it in Cuba. In addition, the Spaniards brought in many new products, for example, turnips, pumpkins, oranges, lemons, beans, and with them new ways of cooking.

Over time, the Indians became less and less in connection with their extermination and extinction, so the Spaniards found another labor force – slaves from Africa. Africans brought with them their traditions, beliefs and recipes.

The cooks in many homes in large cities such as Havana or Santiago were from the African continent – some of the Cuban dishes came from them, for example, Congri.

Fidel Castro’s reign

After the Americans left the island, Cuba had a hard time. with the departure of the former liberators, American goods also disappeared. People so accustomed to the fact that everything always in stock that they did not even know how the products ended up in Cuba. However, the victory of Fidel Castro quickly revived the situation.

For example, the Cuba Libre cocktail, where one of the main ingredients is Coca-Cola, lost this American carbonated drink, but the new government helped to master the production of its own analogue. Over time, Cuba even managed to master the sale of its cola for export.

The same situation has arisen with ice, which often added to famous Cuban cocktails. Freezing ice became available to local residents, because they have mastered this technology. In addition, Fidel Castro maintained positive bilateral relations with the USSR: the assistance of the Soviet Union contributed greatly to the development of Cuban production.

Love for sweets in Cuba

There a lot of sugar cane on the island, so sugar is added to different dishes. In Cuba, sweet taste loved everywhere, even in cocktails. If you ask the local bartender to make a sugar-free mojito, will sooner dissuade you, because in Cuba it considered tasteless. According to Cubans, if a person has enough sugar, has free access to it, then he has achieved a lot in life.

^{Cubans love and know how to cook delicious desserts.}

Fidel Castro, who loved ice cream, also had a craving for sweets. Instead of smoking breaks, he could easily take a break for his favorite sweet food. The president even decided to compete with the Americans and create his own, the best ice cream in the world. About 36 unique recipes invented, which later found their reflection in a cafe called Coppelia. The new establishments have become popular among Cubans. Sometimes there were long queues in the cafe, because many wanted to try the fancy ice cream flavors.

Main products of Cuban cuisine

The products of this island cuisine are familiar to many people and are now easy to find in any store.

The Cubans have succeeded in turning this familiar food into masterpieces.

Rice and beans

Beans in Cuba are often the staple of the diet. it has a high content of vegetable protein, which allows you to saturate and support the body. Rice, which the Chinese introduced the Cubans to, is also a popular side dish on the island. However, the most common side dish on the table is a mixture of rice and beans. It can be in two versions, it all depends on the color of the beans.

If red beans used, then this dish congri, and if the beans black, then these Moros and Cristianos (translated”Moors and Christians”, the Spaniards gave this name in memory of the war with the Arabs). Rice with beans can often found at the festive table along with meat, for example, pork, and this side dish often offered to tourists in local hotels as a dish for lunch or dinner.

Fish and seafood

Even before the arrival of the Spaniards in Cuba, the locals preferred fish and seafood, because the favorable location of the island in the middle of the water made it possible to get them. Now on the island of Liberty there are many cafes and restaurants, where you can choose from all kinds of fish, shrimp, lobster, lobster, mussels.

Here they cooked fresh and not thawed. All seafood baked, boiled or fried either on the grill or on a skewer. The dishes served with sauces with olive oil, black pepper, nuts and bread crumb.

^{Cuban cuisine has a lot of seafood, rice, and legumes.}

Pork and chicken

Pork and chicken are common foods in Cuba. They bought in local markets at an affordable price and are easier to find than, for example, beef, which a delicacy here. There are many pork or chicken dishes. They prepared in various ways with the addition of spices and sauces. Often, Cubans prefer to marinate meat for several hours, and sometimes even a day before serving. it lends complexity and depth to the flavor.

What national dishes to try in Cuba

Locals have come up with many recipes based on the traditions of the past and the experience of the present. These dishes found on the home table, on the street, in hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Fritt

This is a traditional Cuban burger. It consists of beef cutlet, minced meat is seasoned with various spices, sometimes chorizo ​​(spicy pork sausage from Spain) added to it. The meat covered with crispy potato strips. The bottom and top of the burger are soft buns.

Some recipes add scrambled eggs to this Cuban burger.

Cayo Coco hotels for families with children

Ropa vieja

Translated into “old clothes”. This strange name is due to the fact that the dish contains chopped beef. It cut in a way that resembles a piece of cloth. The meat stewed in tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, garlic and wine. Beef like this often served with white rice or maduros (fried sweet bananas).

Churros

Street food is native to Spain. This is a fried dessert based on choux pastry. In cross-section, it looks like a multi-pointed star. Churros sprinkled with powdered sugar. It is customary to dip these sticks in hot chocolate and serve them along with coffee with milk for breakfast.

^{Churros is the favorite street food of Cubans.}

Huevos habaneros

This dish consists of eggs and is a popular breakfast on the island. Sofrito – tomato sauce with peppers, onions and garlic – added to such scrambled eggs. Thanks to this addition, the dish familiar to everyone acquires an unusual taste with hints of ethnic flavor.

Congresses

Cuban cuisine often uses a side dish of rice and beans. This mixture is the main ingredient in the Congri dish. It’s easy to cook. It is enough to add sauce with sweet pepper and garlic – then you get a piquant taste. Bay leaves, oregano and aromatic spices make the dish spicy.

This type of garnish is the most popular in Cuba and is served with meat.

Maduro’s board

Or just fried bananas. First, a batter made, in which the bananas are enveloped. Then they fried in a pan until golden brown. The dish can be served on the table sprinkled with nuts or with the addition of natural honey.

Croquettes

Snack in the form of plump balls, cylinders often found on the streets of Cuba. Croquettes used as a snack for beer. This dish made from meat, and from any. The food crispy with the breadcrumbs, and the golden color achieved with the deep fat. Tomato or garlic sauces go well with balls.

Arroz con poyo

This dish is a combination of rice and chicken. The cooking process is continuous, since the demand for this food is high among not only locals, but also tourists. Arroz con poyo is somewhat similar to the famous paella, but without seafood. Traditionally, the dish has a vegetable dressing.

Ahiako

This a popular Cuban soup made with chicken or beef broth. The main ingredients of this chowder are potatoes and corn. Lime, herbs, pumpkin and even bananas added to the broth. Sour cream sauce, avocado slices and capers often accompany this dish on the table.

^{Ajiaco thick soup is a national dish of Cuban cuisine.}

Flan

This is a popular Cuban custard pudding dessert. The sugary sweet taste is justified by Cubans’ cravings for sweets. Flan is elastic on the outside and has a delicate texture on the inside. It has a bright creamy taste. In combination with tea or coffee, the dessert acquires new tastes.

Festive Cuban dishes

Lejon one of the most common dishes served on holidays. It a roast pig on a skewer, which spun until its skin completely crispy. The preparation non-standard, so this pig served only on special days.

Moors and Christians are the national dish of the Cubans. It is customary to cook it for important family celebrations, during festive carnivals that take place in many cities. And although the dish is simple, it is hearty – this attracts many residents and tourists to feast on it.

A Cuban sandwich seen on the table as an appetizer during the holidays. The halves of a crispy soft bun greased with butter and mustard. Put meat (pork, ham), pickled cucumbers, hard cheese inside. When grilled, the sandwich becomes crispy and soaked in a pickle and cheese sauce.

For the holidays, Cubans can prepare dishes such as:

1. Spicy beans with herbs.
2. Rice with fried bananas.
3. Cuban mango cream.
4. Ropa vieha.

Homemade recipes

Cuban cuisine easily arranged at home.

It is enough to try to prepare intricate dishes using standard ingredients.

Cuban salad with chicken and avocado

Ingredients:

1. Chicken fillet (1 pc.).
2. Lime (2 pcs.).
3. Avocado (1 pc.).
4. Oranges (1 pc.).
5. Red onion (1 head).
6. Mint (10 g).
7. Olive oil (90 ml).
8. Romano salad (150 g).
9. Salt (to taste).
10. Sugar (to taste).
11. Ground black pepper (to taste).

^{Cuban salad with chicken and avocado is popular all over the world today.}

First, the chicken cut into thin slices and then soaked in lime juice along with salt and pepper (for 5-10 minutes). After that, fry the meat in oil.

Cut slices from the orange (cutting off the entire white part), chop the onion into thick strips, and cut the avocado into cubes.

Add mint, 60 ml butter, sugar, salt and pepper to lime juice. Stir with a whisk.

Mix romano salad, avocado, onion, chicken, oranges with dressing and serve.

Wake up

Ingredients:

1. Flank steak (1 kg).
2. Onions (2 heads).
3. Green bell pepper (1 pc.).
4. Garlic (3 cloves).
5. Zira (1 tsp.).
6. Lime (3 pcs.).
7. Sugar (to taste).
8. Bay leaf (1 pc.).
9. Vegetable oil (70 ml).
10. Salt (to taste).
11. Ground black pepper (to taste).

Place coarsely chopped onions and peppers in the pan along with the meat. Pour everything with water, add bay leaf. Bring to a boil and simmer for another 2-3 hours over low heat.

Remove the cooked meat and let it cool at room temperature.

Then disassemble the meat into fibers, add salt, pepper, pour with lime juice. Add cumin, sugar and garlic. Stir and leave to marinate for 15-20 minutes.

Put coarsely chopped onions in a preheated pan, add meat. Fry until the meat is crispy. Serve with rice and a slice of lime.