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