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