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