Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

With everyone gathered for the Christmas feast, dinner has to be varied and delicious, said Ambassador of Cuba Gisela García Rivera.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, an ambassador/high commissioner serving in Jamaica will be sharing with Foodreaders a dish from their country of origin. The selected item will also be a favourite of theirs. This week, Cuban Ambassador Gisela García Rivera tells of traditions in our neighbouring isle.

Two days of feasts for Cubans

In Cuba, the Christmas feast begins on Christmas Eve. Then on December 25, a menu of different dishes is devoured. The feast consists of meals that can leave one salivating. For instance, on Christmas Eve, Cubans serve up a traditional "good night" dinner. The dinner is a creole meal - white rice and black beans and a roasted pig. Then, on Christmas Day, Pavo Relleno con Moros y Cristianos (Cuban Stuffed Turkey with Black Beans and Rice), plantains and croutons adorn the dinner table.

Two nights of dinner may sound lavish, but Ambassador Gisela García Rivera said it is about celebrating the unification of friends and relatives. The Christmas holiday is not necessarily religiously oriented; it is a celebration of being together with friends and loved ones. The mood surrounding the dinners is merry. Cuban music, especially villancicos (carols), is played loudly and everyone catches up on the past year's achievements.

"For me and my family, Christmas time is about unity. Time to be together as a family," said Ambassador García Rivera.

With friends and relatives assembled, the dinner for both days must be esquisite. Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians) a traditional dish of black bean and rice is served with ground beef, salad and fried plantains.

Cuba's national dish, Creole ajiaco, a combination of food, vegetables and meats are cooked.

Black bean soup with plain white rice, roast pork, vegetable salad and fried plantain are customarily served. The soup is traditionally made slightly thick (similarly to how Jamaican stew peas is done).

For dessert sweet cacero, grated coconut, is served with sliced cheese.

These dishes are added to other Cuban Christmas dishes such as fried crushed plantains, Creole sauce and steak casserole. The feast cannot be complete without traditional drinks of beer, rum and wine.

The mojito (from a plant) is a classic Cuban drink. The best are made with yerbabuena.

Mugs of the distinct Santiago rum are devoured and glasses of chilled daiquiri, mojito (pronounced mahout) and the loved Cuba libre is drank.

Coffee and Cigars

After the feast, Cubans melt the evening and night away with a cup (preferably a demitasse) of black coffee and a smoke of one of Cuba's world famous cigars, preferablyCohiba.

While the feast is great other Christmas traditions are observed. Some homes might have a Christmas tree. Christians attend Church services on Christmas Day. The exchange of gifts if not done on the special day, presents are also accepted on January 6. This day is said to be when baby Jesus was found by the five wise men.

The Cuban Ambassador also said that New Year's Eve is a double celebration. January 1 is the anniversary of the triumph of the revolution 47 years ago and Cubans mark the new year.

"At midnight on December 31, it is about the New Year and the anniversary of the triumph of the revolution," beamed Ambassador Garcia Rivera.

Cuban Dishes Recipe

Enjoy these delicious drinks and meal from the Cuban Christmas Eve menu.

Mojito

Ingredients

3 teaspoons sugar

One and a half teaspoons of lemon juice

Fresh yerbabuena (or mint) leaves

1 ounce white rum

Soda water

ice cubes (as needed)

Method Put sugar and lime juice in a glass. Crush a few fresh mint leaves into the sugar and the lime juice. Add the one ounce of white rum and ice cubes. Fill with soda water and serve with a sprig of mint.

Cuba Libre

Ingredients 6 ounces ice-cold Coca-cola

1 and a half ounces white rum

Half teaspoon lime juice

Ice cubes

1 lime slice

Method Pour rum in a tall glass. Fill with cold Coke, add lime juice and stir. Complete with ice and garnish with slice of lime. Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians)

Ingredients 1 and a half cups dried black beans

Quarter cup olive oil for sauté

2 and a half cups white onion, diced

2 and a half cups green peppers, seeded and chopped

4 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped

3 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

1 bay leaf

3 tablespoons white vinegar

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons salt

half teaspoon pepper

4 and a half cups chicken stock

3 cups long-grain white rice

Method 1. Cover the dry beans with about four cups water in a two-quart saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil, and boil for three minutes. Remove from the heat and let it stand, covered for one hour.

3. Drain and rinse the beans. Add enough water to cover once again and bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover and cook until tender, about 40 to 50 minutes.

4. Drain. Rinse the rice with cold water until the water runs clear. Use a large, eight-quart covered stockpot. Sauté the onion and green pepper in the olive oil until tender. Add the garlic, and sauté another minute or two.

5. Add the tomato paste, black beans, oregano, cumin, bay leaf, and vinegar.

6. Cook for about five minutes, stirring gently. Add the chicken stock and the rinsed rice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and for about 20-30 minutes, or until rice is fully cooked.

7. Finally, adjust the seasonings by adding salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf. Serve Hot.

Try this dessert that is favoured among Cubans on Christmas Day.

Torticas de Navidad (Cuban Christmas Cookies)

Ingredients

2 and a half cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Half teaspoon baking soda

Half teaspoon salt

2 cups corn flakes lightly crushed into small pieces, not crumbs

1 and a quarter cup sugar

1 cup butter

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup raisins

One third cup chopped maraschino cherries

1 jar maraschino cherries

Method

1. Preheat oven at 375¡F. Use an electric mixture to cream the butter and sugar together in a small bowl.

2. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed sugar and mix well. Use a spatula to gently fold in the walnuts, raisins and maraschino cherries.

4. Take a teaspoon of dough and roll it in the corn flakes. Place the cookies on a greased pan.

Put one maraschino cherry in the centre of each cookie. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

- Recipes from http://cuban-Christmas.com/christmas_menu.html