When my mom was five years old, she ate Cuban sandwiches from Havana's Cuatro Caminos (Four Corners), picking them apart and eating them layer by layer. The ingredients remain indelibly etched in her mind...
Tasty Traditions: the REAL Cuban
Cuban influence is diminished beyond Miami, but even where I live, in Tampa, it is easy to find arroz con pollo (chicken with yellow rice), frijoles negros (black beans) and, of course, un Cubano, a Cuban sandwich.
Instead of pure Spanish, many speak Spanglish, a mix of Spanish and English, with the primary language being the one they know best -- whichever one that is.
Since the dawn of Fidel Castro's rule in Cuba, and the exodus of Cuban refugees to the United States, Cuban culture here has adapted itself to an American lifestyle -- with new traditions born to suit a new country.
In Tampa, where the Cuban influences preceeded Castro, we find Cuban sandwiches in many restaurants and delis. But it has been adapted to suit the American, or Americanized, palate.
The Cubans (sandwiches, I mean) come with different names and ingredients. We can find lots of "BEST" Cuban sandwiches, but also some "authentic," "traditional," "American" and "Turkey" Cubans.
To be honest, most Cubans are more like glorified ham and cheese sandwiches on Cuban bread...
The REAL Cuban, for the record, does NOT have lettuce, tomato, or mayonnaise. It does have mortadella, something many restaurants don't have.
My mom wants to set the record straight, so here's her recipe.
THE REAL CUBAN
Cuban sandwich bread
Ham
Pork
Swiss
Mortadella
Salami
Butter
Mustard
Pickle
Cut bread into a sandwich portion and split in two lengthwise. Spread butter on one side and mustard on the other. Then add the rest of your ingredients.
Cookbooks featuring Cuban recipes from Amazon.com
COCINA AL MINUTO - SELECCION DE RECETAS FAVORITAS
My mom recommends this cookbook. She says it was used by Cuban girls who came to Miami and needed to learn to cook. It is in Spanish.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
A Taste of Old Cuba: More Than 150 Recipes for Delicious, Authentic, and Traditional Dishes
Amazon Price: $18.15 (as of 10/06/2008)
Cooking the Cuban Way: Culturally Authentic Foods, Including Low-Fat and Vegetarian Recipes (Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks)
Amazon Price: $25.26 (as of 10/06/2008)
Cuban Vegetarian Flair: Authentic Island Specialties
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Memories of a Cuban Kitchen: More Than 200 Classic Recipes
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/06/2008)
More Cuban cookbooks from Amazon.com
Cuban Home Cooking: Favorite Recipes from a Cuban Home Kitchen
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 10/06/2008)
In A Cuban Kitchen (Quintet Book)
Amazon Price: $18.21 (as of 10/06/2008)
The Flavor of Cuba: Traditional Recipes from the Cuban Kitchen
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
The Cuban Kitchen
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
The Columbia Restaurant Spanish Cookbook
The Columbia Restaurant In Tampa's Ybor City, founded in 1905, is well regarded for its authentic Spanish cuisine.
Amazon Price: $24.45 (as of 10/06/2008)
Tasty Traditions Too
The Gofio Ball
My childhood memories are of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Although I was an Americanita in what seemed like foreign land during the Cuban influx, I have my own memories of Cuban traditions from early childhood.
When I was young, I learned to make gofio balls, no that's not golf balls. They are about half the size, depending on how much guava you use.
Making gofio balls, made of guava paste and a toasted wheat flour called gofio in Spanish, was a great way for mama to keep a little girl occupied and encouraged to eat healthy.
Gofio is a staple in the Canary Islands and it is known to give strength and help you gain weight. It disappeared from our shelves when we moved to Fort Lauderdale around 1960. But we have since rediscovered it as my mom tried to put on some weight.
So here's my recipe for making gofio balls, indelibly engraved in my mind from childhood...
GOFIO BALLS
guava paste (sliced)
Gofio (two tablespoons or more to taste)
Wax paper (you can use aluminum foil or cutting board, if desired)
Put gofio on top of slice, break down the guava using your thumbs at first, then mashing and turning through your fingers to mix in the gofio. When you have a playdough-like paste, roll into a ball using the palm of your hand and enjoy. Repeat as desired!
Get your Guava
Amazon.com carries paste, jam and butter and more!
Goya Guava Paste, 16-Ounce Units (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Ancel Guava Paste, 16-Ounce Units (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Goya Guava Paste - 21 oz.
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Esper Deluxe Guava Butter 6 count
Amazon Price: $24.00 (as of 10/06/2008)
Guava Jam
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
More Spanish foods
Marinating with Mojo
Faraon Mojo Criollo - 23 oz.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Goya Mojo Criollo Marinade - 12 fl. oz.
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Goya Mojo Criollo Marinade - 24 fl. oz.
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Mojo Criollo
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Spanish products & cooking related items on Ebay
Here are some of Ebay's current offerings
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Making Cuban Bread
New eBay
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Experience Cuban culture on our own shores!
Be sure to visit Miami's Calle Ocho (Eighth Street) and visit the Cuban businesses. Cuban cuisine abounds in Miami, so be sure and have a taste!
-
$471 from Orlando: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $483 from Philadelphia: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $515 from Baltimore: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $521 from Tampa: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $539 from Washington DC: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $483 from Philadelphia: flight + 2 nights hotel
Get Help Speaking Spanish from Amazon.com
![Instant Immersion Spanish Audio Deluxe (Instant Immersion) [UNABRIDGED] (Instant Immersion)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WJV228QCL._SL75_.jpg)
Instant Immersion Spanish Audio Deluxe (Instant Immersion) [UNABRIDGED] (Instant Immersion)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Get Help Speaking English from Amazon.com
Speak English Like an American (Book & Audio CD set)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 10/06/2008)
The Oxford Picture Dictionary: English-Spanish Edition
Amazon Price: $15.25 (as of 10/06/2008)
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: An Easy-to-Use Guide with Clear Rules, Real-World Examples, and Reproducible Quizzes
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/06/2008)
Vox Compact Spanish and English Dictionary
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Practical English Usage
Amazon Price: $26.36 (as of 10/06/2008)
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- This cutting board is 8" x 11" and features my photograph of two lovely yellow hibiscus flowers taken at Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. Board is 3/16" thick, scratch resistant, odor and stain proof, and guaranteed to your satisfaction!
- Shells & Surf cutting board (small)
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- Sonia rose large cutting board
- This 12" x 15" cutting board features my photograph of Sonia roses in my Tampa garden. Cutting board also is available in the 8" x 11" inch size and they are dishwasher safe, scratch resistant, odor and stain proof, and guaranteed to your satisfaction!
- Nature cutting board and coasters
- Check out more cutting boards and coasters and give them to the chefs in your life...
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