With such a rich cultural heritage, it’s hardly surprising that Cuban cuisine accounts for some of the best known Latin dishes. A delicious fusion of Spanish, African, Caribbean and Native American flavors, Cuban cuisine is entirely unique and well worth a try.
If you’re planning a trip to Cuba soon, be sure to check out our top five Cuban dishes below, to help you get started on your Cuban culinary adventure!
Cuban Sandwich
The Cuban sandwich is one of Cuba’s most famous and popular dishes, although it was actually the invention of Cuban workers in Florida. Now a popular lunch time meal, the traditional sandwich consists of buttered bread, thinly sliced roast pork and serrano ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard which is then pressed in a plancha grill.
Ropa Vieja
A classic comfort food dish, Ropa Vieja is made with slow cooked braised shredded beef in a tasty tomato, peppers and wine sauce and served on white rice with beans and fried plantains. Ropa Vieja is so popular in fact that it has been designated as Cuba’s national dish. If you’re a big meat fan, Picadillo, a spiced ground beef dish, is also worth trying.
Cuban Black Bean Soup
Black beans make an appearance in a great many Cuban dishes, including the famed Cuban black bean soup. Flavored with oregano, peppers, garlic and onion, the soup is both delicious and nutritious, being a rich source of protein, fiber and vitamin B.
Plantain
You’ll likely find plantain served as a side dish in every Cuban restaurant, so beloved is this large banana-like fruit. Often sliced and deep-fried to make chips, or pan fried to make tostones and served with a garlicky lime sauce, plantain can also be found in stews, boiled and pureed like mashed potato and even as a dessert. However you choose to try it, just be sure not to miss this delicious dish!
Cuban Flan
Many of Cuba’s most popular desserts are creamy in consistency, making them an ideal follow-up to the often spicy main dishes. Flan is a common dessert across Latin America, but what sets the Cuban Flan apart is the addition of coconut, lemon peel and cinnamon, giving it a lightly spiced flavor. Yum!
So there we have it, our list of must try Cuban dishes. Got something to add to the list? Let us know by commenting below.
