Christmas Celebrations in Cuba: Noche Buena!

by Jorge Castillo
(Miami, Florida, USA)

The Christmas celebrations in Cuba were very similar to those in the United States. On Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) the families would gather together and have a GREAT feast.

Our families are very large and there was always an abundance of food.

For Cubans, it's all about family and friends, a time to celebrate life with good food, good music, and love. It is truly the most beautiful and heart-warming celebration of the entire year.

The roasted pig was always the main attraction. Along with the pig, we had black beans, white rice, yuca con mojo (mojo is a type of marinade with garlic, onions, and sour orange), some salad and of course lots of Cuban bread.

I like Christmas. In the days before Christmas Eve, all the women would start preparing desserts. Popular desserts included orange and grapefruit shells in a heavy syrup and buñuelos -- a type of fried sweet dough with powdered sugar and syrup.