Cuban Foods & Culture Information
by: Betty Rodriguez-Hakes
I grew up in a family filled with love, faith and lots of Cuban food!
Both of my parents were born and raised in Cuba. They met and started a family in Miami, Florida (USA) where the Cuban traditions and food continued to live. As new American's they also followed the American traditions, but with a Cuban twist - I remember having 'Congri' during Thanksgiving Dinners - I don't think the Pilgrims had ever heard of such a dish. When I was a kid I didn't think too much of the Cuban food or culture - I thought it was the 'old way'. As an adult I realize the importance of my culture and treasure the traditions and customary foods.
This little corner of gourmetbetty.com is for those who want to learn about my Cuban heritage, foods and customs. Although I was born and raised in the United States, my 'Cuban Blood' will never allow me to escape the passion & energy I inherited from my Cuban and Spaniard ancestors. Buen Provecho!
Cuban foods
Many people who have yet been introduced to Cuban food believe its spicy, or similar to Mexican food. I personally enjoy Mexican food, but it's very different from Cuban food. Mexican food has a lot of cilantro and jalapeño's in its food. Cuban food is based on more citrus flavors and marinades. Many foods are based in a tomato sauce base with oregano and cumin. Many limes are used for flavoring or as a 'finishing touch". On my site are some recipes I've been able to download from either my brain or my grandmother's cookbooks. I also recommend Cuban products that I love. Be patient with me as I continue to add on recipes and reference my favorite Cuban products.
I have included several Cuban family recipes, found on the right hand column. I have also demonstrated how to cook Cuban Rice on the "Cooking with Rita" show. (If you can't view this video, you may link directly to): http://gourmetbetty.blogspot.com/2008/09/betty-cooks-cuban-with-rita.html)
Traditional Meals Styles
Normally, breakfast for Cuban families start with Cafe con Leche and toasted Cuban bread with butter. Scrambled eggs with cheese is another popular breakfast as well.
Lunch is usually in the late afternoon (between 1 and 2 PM). This is the main meal where you'll have your 3-course meal. Start with a tomato and avocado salad, then you may have a traditional black beans with white rice and picadillo. Don't forget a dessert, such as Flan.
Dinner time is usually something lighter, such as a sandwich or some cheese and chorizo.
Many Cuban ends their evening with a shot of Cuban coffee or some more cafe con leche and perhaps some ice cream with spanish rolled cookies.
Cuban traditions
There are many Cuban traditions that were and still are celebrated in the US. Some are more popular than others.
New Years EveAs a child growing up in Miami, Florida, every New Year's Eve we would gather with my mother and grand-mother and separate out 12 red grapes for all the guests. We usually had lots of family and friends over for the holidays.
At the stike of mid-night we woulddrink a low-alcoholic cider, called "Sidra" and eat the 12 grapes. As you eat each one you ask for a wish for the upcoming year. My aunt says: "Un deso por uva" (a wish for each grape).
As I grew up and started to spend New Years away from the family I realized that not many people followed this 'grape eating tradition'. Especially after I left Miami, I got away from the tradition too. Now, in my 30 something's, I continue the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight - with a wish for each.
A little history of how this tradition started in Spain (information from my friends at the Cuban Food Group):
"As the story goes, early in the 20th century, freak weather conditions resulted in an unseasonable bumper harvest of grapes. At a loss over what to do about so many grapes at Christmas time, the grape growers came up with the idea of the New Year ritual. It doesn't matter how it got started but now a lot of us are eating grapes on New Years Eve and it is a fun tradition to do with our kids."
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is a big celebration, that starts late and goes late into the night. It starts with the men of the family building (or purchasing) a pit (or 'caja china') in where to cook a whole pig. My grandmother used to season and marinade the pig and my father would cook it, starting at about 5 or 6 AM. It would cook slowly throughout the day. With today's advances, my brother in law purchased a metal pit in which to cook the pig this year (2005).
Christmas Day
Christmas morning the kids woke up early to the toys, unwrapped, in the living room. Each child has its own section or sofa in where all the toys were. We would play with all our toys first. Then we would get ready for the visiting -- this rest of the day was spent either people visiting us, or us visiting them. We would eat left over's and simple foods.
Birthdays
Kids birthday's were a family event! There were usually more adults than kids, and everyone from the family and friends were there. No invitations were sent out, only phone calls letting the family know what time and date the party was. We would all get dressed up, especially the little girls with very frilly dresses -- and we would have a huge Cuban Style cake. There were no special games, just the kids playing and eating -- the adults eating and talking. I really miss this in today's society and living in the mid-west. I always found it so odd that the parents would just drop off their 5 year old at my house for the party. :-)
Growing up in a Cuban-American Home
Well, anyone who grew up in Miami, FL around the 70's , usually knows about "Que Pasa USA?". This was a PBS show about a Cuban American family. And although, some things were slightly exaggerated, much of it was a true depiction of what it was like to grow up in America with parents who held on to their Cuban culture. My parents are very patriotic and felt very much like Americans... however, when it came to the social culture, they were very Cuban. They were strict and over-protective (can anybody say Chaperone!). And that's just the way it was ... oh well, I guess I didn't turn out too bad for it... It’s funny, my kids think I’m over protected – if they only realized what it feels like to be the only kid coming to the movies with their mom on a Saturday night. I laugh today – but I assure you, I wasn’t laughing at 16!Family is very important to us -- it is the cornerstone of our lives, socially and in business. That's why, I am proud to tell you about what the rest of my family is up to...
My brother is a computer forensic specialist and has launched his new business, Computer Forensic Worldwide. http://www.computerforensicsworldwide.com/
My brother-in-law owns and operates a full service yacht maintenance and captaining services -- its called ProBlueMarine in South Florida. Check it out at www.probluemarine.com
