When thinking about Cuban cuisine, one dish that immediately comes to mind is the classic Cuban sandwich. This iconic sandwich consists of ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and mayonnaise on Cuban bread. It is a popular comfort food that is widely enjoyed in Cuba and around the world.
Cuban cuisine has a long and rich history, with influences from Spain, Africa, and the Caribbean all contributing to its unique flavor. Traditional dishes include ropa vieja (shredded beef), moros y cristianos (black beans and rice), and yucca con mojo (yucca with garlic sauce). Popular sides include plantains fried in butter or oil and tostones (fried plantains).
Another famous food in Cuba is congrí. Congrí is a combination of red beans and white rice cooked together with spices such as cumin, oregano, garlic, onion powder, and bay leaves. This hearty dish is usually served with fried plantains and a side salad.
Seafood is also very popular in Cuban cuisine. Dishes such as mariscada (seafood stew) are made with shrimp, crabmeat, mussels, octopus, squid, fish fillets or any combination of these ingredients simmered in a tomato-based sauce.
Tostones, or twice-fried green plantains are another popular dish in Cuba. They are made by slicing unripe plantains into thin slices before they are deep-fried twice until golden brown and crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside. They can be served as an appetizer or side dish with other main dishes such as ropa vieja or congrí.
Cuba’s national drink is rum which can be enjoyed alone or mixed with fruit juices for cocktails such as mojitos or daiquiris. Rum cakes are also popular desserts throughout Cuba which have become an international favorite due to their moist texture and sweet flavor from the rum glaze.
In conclusion; Cuban cuisine offers an array of flavorful dishes that have been influenced by Spanish colonization as well as African and Caribbean cultures over the years. The famous foods of Cuba include the classic Cuban sandwich, congrí (beans and rice), seafood dishes such as mariscada (seafood stew), tostones (twice-fried green plantains), rum cocktails like mojitos or daiquiris, and rum cakes for dessert.