Just like in any other big city, you’ll find virtually any kind of food in Miami, but the city’s most typical dishes have been influenced by the Spanish occupation, the nearby Caribbean and, above all, by the numerous Cuban immigrants, so you’ll find tropical fruit, coconut, spices and lots of typical ingredients from the area, featured in dishes that have been adapted to suit the American palate.
Traces of Florida’s Spanish past are evident in the popular dish Lechón, suckling pig roasted over charcoal or wood, and above all in a spicy version of Jambalaya, made with local ingredients, and the world-famous Paella, a rice dish with shellfish, meat, mollusks and vegetables.
Fish and shellfish are among the most popular local specialties. You might like to try the famous Grouper Sandwich, or the truly unmissable juicy, fleshy prawns, or the two local fish delicacies: groupers and snappers, both served fried or grilled.
It’s Cuban cuisine that reigns supreme in Miami, however, and you’ll find it on every corner. You can try a Cuban sandwich (with ham, pork, mustard, cheese and pickles, served on Cuban bread), Empanadas, (half-moon-shaped pastries filled with meat), or Pastelitos (baked pastries with sweet or savory fillings). Traditional fillings include cream cheese, meat, pineapple and coconut. The sweet versions are made with sweetened fruit pulp.
Another common specialty is Alcapurrias, little fritters filled with spicy mincemeat or fish, fried in a batter made with bananas and taro, a sort of tropical potato.
Make sure you don’t leave Miami without trying at least one slice of the mouth-watering Key Lime pie, made with condensed milk and limes grown on the nearby islands.
An interesting fact: Miami is near the swamps, so you’ll also have the chance to sample the widely popular grilled alligator or fried frogs’ legs.
What else can I say but…Enjoy!
Language: English