A Selection of Cuban Treats..

Today, I'm identifying some basic options found at any spot that serves traditional Cuban lfood You can find variations of all these treats at other Caribbean lunch spots like Puerto Rican, Dominican or Jamaican, all with their own unique touches. These Cuban dishes are easy to make at home as well - you can find some great versions on my Recipes page.

Let's get familiar with some Cuban menu staples.

Medianoche: The sweeter cousin to the world-famous Cuban sandwich, this is a signature Cuban cafe staple. Sweet ham, sliced or pulled pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and butter, pressed and toasted to perfection in a Challah-inspired roll. A good Medianoche will leave you contento.

Tostones: Tasty double-fried green plantains are served with a squeeze of lime and a pinch salt, but go best with my Garlic Mojo. This cheap treat is packed full of crunch and flavor. If you crave a sweeter plantain instead, try Maduros, where the green plantain ripens to a much sweeter flavor. Most Caribbean countries abundantly use plantains as a staple in their cuisine, and I am forever grateful to have tried many delicious Plantain dishes.

    

Moros: Rice is another huge Caribbean staple. And in Cuban cuisine, when white rice and black beans are cooked together, they're called 'Moros y Cristianos'. Moros have always been my favorite Cuban side dish, with even the name of the dish being historically intriguing. The beans tint the rice black and the dish is cooked with aromatic bay leaves, Cuban sofrito and juicy chunks of fried pork. There are similar Caribbean dishes, like Dominican Congri made with red beans, and Puerto Rican Arroz con Gandules made with pigeon peas, that are all uniquely worth trying.

Empanadas: These are everyone's favorites! Golden-fried turnovers filled with meat, chicken, or ham. They're the perfect treat for parties, beach visits and an on-the-go snack. Empanadas are a worldly item and can vary from the many Latin and Caribbean countries. These Cuban ones were crunchy on the outside, juicy and meaty on the inside. Perfecto.

Let me know if you've got a favorite Latin lunch treat, I'd love to hear what you're eating!

Try my Empanadas, Moros or Garlic Mojo recipes, coming soon!

xo Desiree