After moving away from Miami for college, I quickly started to miss the incredible foods I grew up with. Ingredients and food specialties found in Miami are sometimes hard to find in other parts of the country, and as a Miami Native I often took that for granted…until I started traveling and left Miami to take up residence in other states and even overseas.
The beauty of Miami does not just come from the spectacular beaches and year-round summer-like weather, it is found in its people and the culture they have brought with them from countries near and far. This melting pot we call Miami is deeply steeped in Latin traditions and customs but has also most recently experienced European and Asian influences, too! Miami is a cultural hot spot and the food is what makes it extra special for me as a Native and for tourists that come to enjoy it!
So let’s talk about some of my favorite local foods, some that I grew up with, and others that I have come to love more recently! Note that many of these are Cuban, due to my heritage and lots of it is more like finger foods! 😋 And, yes these are in order of my all-time favorites!
#1: Pastelitos de Guayaba: These melt-in-your-mouth pastries are made of puff pastry and guava preserves and can be found at most bakeries, cafes, and restaurants throughout the city. The flaky outside combined with the gooey sweet insides of guava go perfectly with a Cafecito (Cuban espresso) or as a quick to-go snack! I used to have these shipped to me in Denver, when I was away at college. That is how much I LOVE these things!
#2: Fricase de Pollo: Translated as Cuban Chicken Fricassee, this dish is made mostly in Cuban homes, though it can also be found at popular Cuban restaurants around town. The flavors of onions, green peppers, garlic, tomato sauce and spices, simmered together with chicken and served over a bed of white rice and a side of plantains is absolutely divine! There are several variations of this dish, depending on what the Cuban cook has on hand or preferences of the family. Some added ingredients include potatoes and green olives.
#3: Cuban Bread: This bread is super fluffy and moist on the inside with a semi-hard crust on the outside that is easy to cut and perfect to toast! The traditional recipe of this baguette style bread calls for lard instead of oil. It is often served for breakfast with butter or margarine in the middle and pressed on a panini press to make it extra delicious and toasty! It accompanies most Cuban dishes and can be eaten hot or room temperature, though usually doesn’t do well if kept several days as it gets quite hard!
#4: Empanadas: Whether store bought, home-made, fried or baked, these delicious meat turnovers are a little piece of heaven! The Argentinian bakeries here have dozens of fillings that are mostly savory, while the Cuban bakeries have both savory and sweet and are most often fried. Empanadas often have a dough shell made with flour and butter. The Colombian variety are typically a corn-based shell that are filled with a delicious ground meat and served with a spicey dipping sauce called aji! All of them are simply amazing!
#5: Mangos: Florida mangos are so sweet and delectable that most of us can’t wait for the summer mango season! Many residents have their own trees and the varieties are overwhelming but our hot weather and rich soil lend itself to delicious harvests every year. I personally make mango marmalade, mango bread, mango shakes and eat them daily while they are in season! They also freeze well for future use! This incredibly sweet and perfect fruit can also be purchased on the side of the road and found in many recipes in the summer months.
Ok, so what you are waiting for…come to Miami to try some
of the mouth-watering treats. Contact us if you’d like to embark on one of our
culinary experiences, too!