Cuban Cooking Made Easy
Mamey sapote is a very popular fruit in Latin America. It is native to both Central and South America but is also grown in the southern part of Florida and throughout the Caribbean. Chances are, that you may have even come across one of these fruits while in your local grocery store, and didn’t even …
Avocados are a popular tropical fruit that has a dark leathery skin and a bright green flesh. However, a Florida Cuban (Catalina) avocado have a bright green skin and yellow flesh. Catalina avocados are also referred to as Florida avocados. In some parts of the country, they are also known as butter fruit or alligator …
No one knows quite who invented the Cuban sandwich as we know it today, but there are numerous tales that are told about the Cubano, which asserts that the sandwiches origins date back more than 500 years. The sandwich has been around for thousands of years in various incarnations, but we don’t know who actually …
The tamarind is a popular hardwood tree that has tasty fruit that can be found in tropical regions throughout the world. The scientific name is Tamarindus indica. In North America, the fruit is most commonly found in Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that the body needs to …
For anyone who has never seen a plantain before, they could be mistaken for a regular banana. That is until you really look and hold a plantain banana. And while the plantain is in fact part of the banana family, it is a lot different than your traditional dessert banana. A plantain banana is a …
What do they call a Cuban sandwich in Cuba? Who knows. Unfortunately, you’ll be hard-pressed to find such a sandwich there as this sandwich that originated in Florida. The Cuban sandwich, also known as a Cubano, is a classic sandwich tracing its roots back to the large Cuban communities in Tampa and Key West. While the …
When I shared our Cuban family recipes for Fricase de Pollo (chicken fricassee) and Arroz Amarillo con Pollo (yellow rice with chicken) a common question was, “What is Bijol (pronounced Bee-hol) seasoning?” When my Cuban mother-in-law started teaching me how to make Cuban food over 25 years ago, I asked her the same question. Bijol …
Mojo Criollo (pronounced mo-ho kree-oyo) is a Cuban marinade consisting of naranja agria, garlic, olive oil, limes, and spices. Naranja Agria – a sour citrus made from seville oranges Garlic – lots of garlic smashed with a mortar and pestle Olive oil – a good quality olive oil brings a light balance of flavor and …
I was probably about 19 years old the first time I ever ate malanga. It was so different from anything else, but it quickly became one of my favorite foods! When I met my Cuban husband and started eating meals with his family, sometimes I didn’t even know what I was eating. However, I always …
Yuca, pronounced Yoo-ka, is a starchy tuberous root also commonly known as cassava. However, yuca is not the same thing as yucca. I see many recipes and articles interchanging the two. Yucca is a shrub with white flowers that grows in dry climates. Yuca is a tubular root vegetable like a potato. It grows in …
