Why Vaca Frita deserves more attention

Vaca Frita rarely gets the international recognition it deserves. The earthy and hearty complexity is genuine, not simple, and the technique involved in using plantain correctly takes real skill.

Cuban cuisine reflects Spanish, African, and Caribbean indigenous influences. I encountered it first in a Cuban café abroad and that context helped me understand it properly. Cristal beer is the natural accompaniment and the combination makes the case for the dish. If you haven't explored this cuisine seriously, Vaca Frita is the dish to start with.