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