Most Popular Cuban Foods in the US

The cuisine of the Republic of Cuba, which lies roughly 90 miles off the coast of Florida, has always had a home in the United States, especially in Florida, where many Cuban expatriates life.

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Cuban food is derived from Spanish, French, African, Arabic, Chinese, and Portuguese cuisines and cultures.  Base ingredients include spices, root vegetables, sofrito (onions, green peppers, garlic, oregano, and ground pepper fried in olive oil), and citrus juices, according to the University of Miami.

Below is a list of several of the most popular Cuban dishes that are seizing the attention and appetites of US restaurant aficionados:

1. Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians)
Moros y Cristianos is made from black beans and rice and is a traditional staple of Cuban cuisine. Its name refers to the medieval history of the mixture of African Moors and Spanish Christian influences at the root of Cuban culture today.

2. Plátanos Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains)
Plantains, which are members of the banana family, are peeled and cut before they are fried in vegetable oil in this sweet treat. Sometimes they’re lightly rolled in white or brown sugar before being fried.

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3. Yuca (Cassava)
Yuca, which is a starchy and tuberous root, is another staple of Cuban cooking and can be fried or boiled with various sauces after the fibrous core is removed.

4. Café Cubano (Cuban Coffee)
Cuban coffee has a thick layer of sweet crema of whipped espresso and sugar floating atop a shot of espresso. 

5. Flan Cubano
Flan, a favorite dessert amongst Cuban cuisine aficionados, is a baked custard made with eggs, caramel, and milk with a soft layer of caramel on top.

6. Cuban Sandwich
These traditional sandwiches are made on Cuban bread and consist of variations of ham, Swiss cheese, roasted pork, mustard, and pickles.

7. Guarapo Costeño
This cold drink is made from mixing boiling water with lime juice and panela – a type of unrefined cane sugar.

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