Culinary Traditions Of Cuba

By Kirsten Hawkins


The East Caribbean island of     pepper, onion and garlic are  
Cuba has a rich cultural         soft and translucent and the  
heritage from which has arisen   flavors blend to perfection.  
culinary traditions that are                                   
as vibrant and varied as the     The dense, nutritious, energy 
variety of cultures that have    producing vegetables commonly 
contributed to the development   used belie the African and    
of this distinct and             native peoples' influence on  
delicious cuisine. In addition   the cuisine of Cuba. Yuca,    
to the ancient influence of      malanga, boniato, and plantano
the native peoples of Cuba,      are among these, and are      
the Spaniards brought their      often simmered together with  
own culinary styles, tinged by   complementary vegetables and  
those of the Moors who held      served simply, drizzled with  
huge parts of Spain for          olive oil and sprinkled with  
centuries. The slaves that       chopped fresh onion a        
were brought from Africa made    satisfying, strengthening and
significant culinary and         simple dish for a hard working
cultural contributions, with     people.                       
other culinary traditions                                      
being brought to the island      Meats are often prepared      
with the French colonists        using island flavored         
fleeing uprisings in Haiti.      marinades of that use lime    
                                 juice or the juice of a sour  
As these various influences      variety of the orange as a    
came together, a distinctly      base. Then, the meats are     
Cuban flavor and style           roasted or simmered very      
evolved, which is reminiscent    slowly with spices, often for
of country peasant styles of     hours. Beans and rice are an  
cooking by oral tradition and    essential part of most meals,
eye, rather than relying on      with black beans being well   
specific measurements and the    known as a Cuban specialty.   
creation of dishes that tend                                   
towards the simple and hearty,   Cuban cuisine is also notable 
and that can be left on their    for its baked goods, which    
own to simmer. Fussy, heavy      include a variety of          
sauces are unusual and deep-     turnovers. Some are filled    
frying is simply not a favored   with spiced meats and other   
cooking method. The island       types feature a particularly  
nation, naturally, uses a        Cuban blend of cream cheese   
great deal of seafood in its     and guava paste. Flan is among
cuisine, which encourages the    Cuba's most beloved dessert   
use of simple cooking            items.                        
techniques and spicing that is                                 
meant to enhance, not            In Cuban cuisine, the subtle  
smother, natural flavors.        flavors of healthy foods are  
                                 enhanced by cooking and       
The most common spices used      spicing methods designed to   
in Cuban cuisine are garlic,     bring out the best in each    
cumin, oregano and bay or        component of a dish. The      
laurel leaves. Sofrito is also   culinary traditions of Cuba   
popular, and used in a wide      are a delight to the tongue,  
range of dishes, from those of   naturally, but they also offer
beans to those of meats to       a fascinating glimpse into a  
those that are made from a       culture that has brought      
base of tomato sauce. A          together many varied elements
typical sofrito is made of       to create a cohesive whole.   
green pepper, onion, garlic,                                   
oregano and black pepper fried                                 
in olive oil until the                                         

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a food and nutrition expert specializing the Mexican, Chinese, and Italian food. Visit http://www.food-and-nutrition.com/for more information on cooking delicious and healthy meals.


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