As the first and last Spanish colony in the Caribbean, Cuban food still has strong ties to Spanish influences. During the colonial era, Havana was an important trading port and Spanish immigrants passed through the city before moving on to other towns and islands. Many of the immigrants were from southern Spain; hence many Cuban dishes have their roots in Andalucía.
The revolution and breakdown of U.S. relations in 1961 profoundly changed Cuban food. Cuba was cut off from its source of imports and had to find other sources to keep the economy going. When Fidel Castro declared the revolution Marxist-Leninist, their ties strengthened with the Soviet Union. New food products entered the Cuban diet with wheat, pasta, pizza and yogurt becoming indispensable. Chicken and fish took precedence over pork, although pork is still the meat of choice. Beef and lard almost disappeared from the diet.
Events of the 20th century had a substantial impact on Cuban food.
The revolution and breakdown of U.S. relations in 1961 profoundly changed Cuban food. Cuba was cut off from its source of imports and had to find other sources to keep the economy going. When Fidel Castro declared the revolution Marxist-Leninist, their ties strengthened with the Soviet Union. New food products entered the Cuban diet with wheat, pasta, pizza and yogurt becoming indispensable. Chicken and fish took precedence over pork, although pork is still the meat of choice. Beef and lard almost disappeared from the diet.
Events of the 20th century had a substantial impact on Cuban food.
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