A Unique Creation
It may not look very appetizing, and yes, it’s a Cuban invention.
But I can assure you that this is more Cuban than the Cubans themselves.
The Cuban Pizza
This variation of the famous dish arose from the needs of a country.
Cuban pizza is the “heavier sister” of Italian pizza.
Our variation even changes the ingredients of the dough. This is because it became popular during a time when Cuba was going through an immense crisis.
The well-known "Special Period"
During those years, Cubans sought to fill themselves up more than to actually eat.
Hundreds of dishes emerged, many of which are no longer made today, but Cuban pizza survived.
Well, not only did it survive, it has become famous.
Cuban pizza is not baked in wood-fired ovens but in electric ones, often homemade. As you can see, the crust is thicker.
The cheese can vary depending on quality and what you’re willing to pay. The most common is white cheese.
The tomato used is often a sauce created based on a pizza sauce, the composition of which nobody knows. But natural tomato is not the main ingredient.
The edge, so characteristic of the Italian style, is replaced by a crispy crust. Some prefer it more toasted, others do not. This often depends on the cook's preference.
Yes, just as you read, it’s not something you can choose, haha.
Today, these pizzas range from 200 CUP to 1,000 CUP for the more expensive ones.
*CUP- Cuban pesos
In every neighborhood, there’s a “pizzeria” where locals go when they don’t want to cook or when they need to “satisfy” the hunger of the kids at home.
Interestingly, the most common way to eat it is folded in half. Why? Nobody knows, but everyone does it.
Or, well, if you know, let me know in the comments. I looked it up and didn’t find a theory that satisfied me.
This is the lunch for many students and workers. More than once, it has saved my lunch.
They are very cheap, easy to find, and fill the stomach.
Surely, if an Italian reads this post, they would be outraged by this variation. In Cuba, Cuban pizza is more than a tradition; it is part of our history.
You can find a Cuban who doesn’t smoke cigars, doesn’t drink rum, and maybe doesn’t even dance, but surely they have eaten Cuban pizza.
Ask around and see if you find one!
Read you tomorrow in another #hivearoundtheworld !
[dahpilot]