That reputation of Cuba is completely undeserved. Cuba has its own unique cuisine scene, one that was formed out of dire necessity and worldwide influence that especially produces some of the delectable delicacies among the street foods of havana. Despite their best efforts, Cuban commercial resorts operating in a constrained country simply cannot compete with its counterparts worldwide in terms of generating the opulent, Western-style meals that North American tourists demand. They shouldn’t, either.
Tourists who want to get out of the resort for a more community-focused travel experience will find plenty of delicious street food in Havana. These products, in particular, are ideal for sharing with new acquaintances and travel companions.
Here is a compiled list of some of the delicacies from the street foods of Havana :
1. Cuban Style Coffee
It’s not exactly a fresh sensation to share a cup of coffee with an old friend or a new acquaintance. Coffee, on the other hand, is much more than a basic beverage in Cuba, where new acquaintances rapidly become old friends. It’s a part of everyday existence. There appears to be no one who does not consume it, and in Cuba, preparation is almost as significant as consumption.
For beginners, the milk in a typical café with leche is always hot, never cold. The sweetness in a café Cubano originates from an unique paste of espresso and sugar, never from ordinary sugar added later. If you’re truly committed to the coffee habit, you’ll solidify your new bond by dipping thickly buttered bread into your coffee before devouring your breakfast.
While you’re out exploring, do you need a pick-me-up? Keep an eye out for bicycle sellers or small stores that will gladly offer you some 50/50, an extremely sweet blend of sugary coffee that will help you wake up.
2. Churros
Cubans have an all-consuming addiction to sugar and fried food. The churro has arrived. In Havana, these sugar-dusted fried dough loops are becoming increasingly popular. Optional: a side of gloopy syrup. Popular carts can often be found on the streets surrounding Plaza Vieja in Old Havana, cranking up their churrera (churro-making pipe).
The aroma of crispy, chewy bread combined with warm, delicious cinnamon fills the streets of Havana, much like the skate canals of Ottawa. The sweet, cinnamony blend will appeal to American vacationers as well. Don’t hesitate to order a second serving.
3. Maduros
The churro isn’t the only Cuban delicacy with that perfect balance of crisp and chewiness. Delicious Maduros (fried plantains) may appear healthful because they are just fried once, rather than twice like less ripe Tostones. But don’t be fooled by it.
Maduros go well with both sweet and savory dishes. You’ll find them on brunch platters with ham and eggs, or topping ice cream with a hearty dose of butter sauce (exactly as fantastic as you’d expect!). Whether simply tossed with salt and pepper or caramelized with sugar, they’re the perfect side dish for sharing. You won’t be able to stop yourself!
4. Tostones
The carousel of frying flavors coveted by Habaneros is truly endless. A popular dish is the moreish Tostone, which is served with a generous amount of salt.
Green plantains are sliced and fried, then flattened into discs and deep-fried once more. The golden snack, which has been twice fried, tastes like a crisp and is both savory and salty. When you bite into them, they’re crisp on the exterior and delicate on the inside.
5. Pru Beer
Pru is the original root beer from Cuba. This dark brown herby combination, which originated in eastern Cuba, is now fermented over the island and marketed to those in the know.
Locals have long maintained that a blooming woody vine, raz de china (roots of the woody berried climber sarsaparilla), and allspice, along with Cuban cane sugar, could cure hypertension and other ailments. Scientists just declared it the health-boosting cleanse that locals had known for years two years ago.
6. Coquitos
When Cuban sugar met Cuban coconuts, a delightful alliance was born. Coconut milk-based foods, coconut pie, coconut ice cream, and Cucurucho – a mashed-up coconut treat laced with nuts and honey – may all be found in the east.
The little coquito, which are bite-sized mounds of coconut candy, are, however, a favorite. When sugar is cooked in a pan and combined with shredded coconut, it solidifies when dolloped on a platter. Once you’ve crunched through to the gooey coconut mess inside, you’ll be looking for more.
7. Hawaiian Pizza And Coconut Pie
If you enjoy your cuisine savory with a bit of sweetness, get some pizza Hawaiana, which are individual Hawaiian pizzas that are thin and durable enough to be folded in half and eaten like tacos.
Some may argue about the advantages of pineapple on pizza, but the good people of Cuba know it belongs there! Larger savory pizzas for sharing are more difficult to come by, and you’ll normally only find them in personal sizes. However, there is another type of pie that may be shared – and it isn’t a pizza pie! It’s the sweet dish known as pie de coco, which consists of a pie-crust pastry topped with shredded coconut.
8. Pan con lechón
In Cuba, the pig reigns supreme in the kitchen. Its flesh is highly esteemed since it is free to graze on the palmiche, the fruit of Cuba’s royal palms. Families spit roast a whole pig (cerdo asado en pa) in a mojo, fizzing with sour orange, during the New Year’s celebrations.
It isn’t always New Year’s Eve, so this roast pulled pork sandwich, marinated in its own roast juices and topped with whatever is available – grilled onions or cucumber slices – is the next best thing.
Conclusion
Whether it’s delectable deep-fried churros or crisp, salty tostones, Cubans have a sweet tooth and an eye for a quick nibble. This was our rundown of the street foods of Havana you must try while visiting this Caribbean island. Which street food among the above mentioned is your favorite if you have tried it once or twice. Let us know in the comment section.
Also Checkout: 10 traditional dishes of India
