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