| Cuba is famed for its beaches, diving, lifestyle and | | | | This chicken and rice dish is actually popular |
| dancing. But one aspect of the Cuban holiday which is | | | | throughout Latin America its principally made up of |
| often overlooked is the Cuban cuisine, which is | | | | rice, chicken, vegetables, herbs and saffron. Its not a |
| unfortunate because the mixture of cultures combine | | | | million miles from Paella, but in Cuba, the dish has a |
| to make a truly unique combination of flavours and | | | | slight variation whereby it includes garlic and tomato it |
| textures. The countrys cultural influences are so | | | | can be highly spiced, but not spicy hot. This one is |
| diverse as to create a unique flavour to the food a | | | | worth trying for the authentic Cuban experience, as |
| mix of Spanish, Chinese, African, Portuguese, French | | | | its a popular Sunday lunch dish on the island. |
| and Arabic. | | | | Moros y Cristianos |
| Yet these global influences are completed by | | | | This dish translates as Moors and Christians, and its |
| indigenous local food stuffs yucca, malanga and | | | | name is supposed to hark back to times when Moors |
| boniato are local root vegetables routinely used in | | | | and Christians lived alongside each other on the island. |
| Cuban food. The main meats used in Cuban cuisine | | | | The basis of this recipe is black beans (the Moors) |
| are chicken, pork and beef (though the latter is | | | | and white rice (the Christians) and the dish is found |
| subject to rationing as government property, so is | | | | throughout the Caribbean. Of course, the Cuban |
| harder to find) usually marinated in citrus juices and | | | | version is delicately spiced giving it a unique localised |
| slowly roasted until tender. Its simple, but delicious, | | | | flavour. |
| and something that will see you hunting out the best | | | | Ropa Vieja |
| restaurants throughout your Cuban holiday. | | | | Dont let the Spanish translation of this put you off |
| Cuba is also home to even simpler snacks and light | | | | (old clothes) Ropa Vieja is one of the more popular |
| treats. Masitas de Puerco Fritas (lightly fried pork | | | | dishes in the Caribbean, and as ever the Cuban |
| cuts, slow cooked until tender), Pinchos (kebabs) and | | | | version leads the way in terms of delicate spicing. |
| Fritas (the Cuban hamburger, spiced with shoestring | | | | The basis of the dish is shredded beef, vegetables in |
| potatoes and onion) all put this countrys fast food to | | | | a sauce (usually tomato based). As with much Cuba |
| shame not only in terms of value, but flavour. So | | | | cuisine, local belief is that it tastes better on the day |
| below is a quick list of some of the dishes to look | | | | after preparation, when the flavours have had |
| out for while enjoying a holiday in Cuba. | | | | greater opportunity to mingle. |
| A quick note of warning for vegetarians, before I | | | | Cuban sandwiches |
| begin though: Youre likely to be considerably less | | | | These make a wonderful lunch food and were made |
| gushing about Cubas food than your carnivorous | | | | popular on the island in the 1930s with sugar cane |
| friends. The concept of vegetarianism for ethical, | | | | workers. Using Cuban bread (similar to French and |
| health or religious reasons is virtually unheard of. You | | | | Italian loaves), the sandwich is lightly toasted and |
| should still be able to find something, either from the | | | | typically contains roast pork (sometimes marinated in |
| large quantities of local fruit or the handful of rice and | | | | garlic or citrus), ham, dill pickles and swiss cheese and |
| bean dishes available, but Cuban cuisine is unlikely to | | | | mustard. Once you have had one of these you will |
| be a highlight of your vacation. | | | | crave them for the rest of your days! |
| Chicharrones | | | | Costillitas |
| These are hot thick belly cuts of pork with skin, a | | | | These are mouth-watering babyback ribs, marinated |
| layer of fat and meat. The flavours and textures to | | | | in typical Cuban fashion with citrus, garlic and herbs |
| combine for a tasty (though not necessarily good for | | | | and then cooked slowly for the best part of an hour |
| you!) snack. You may find these sold in Cubas | | | | to guarantee tenderness. They are then typically |
| markets and cafes, and are the perfect antidote for | | | | served with black bean and rice. |
| a growling stomach while exploring. | | | | Ive barely scraped the surface of Cuban food and |
| Masitas de Puerco Fritas | | | | drink here the beverages, for example are unique |
| As mentioned above, these are pork chunks slow | | | | and the deserts (unsurprisingly for an island with so |
| cooked until tender and then fried lightly in their own | | | | much sugar cane) are some of the sweetest Ive |
| oil. Often these are served with sliced onions and | | | | ever tasted. Hopefully this should convince you that a |
| mojo sauce. Surprisingly filling for something | | | | holiday in Cuba can be just as focussed on the food |
| considered a lighter snack! | | | | as a vacation in one of its more culinary renowned |
| Arroz con Pollo | | | | holiday rivals. |