Cuban food: How to

make Cuban picadillo

By Ms. Brun
A little history of Cuba…
• The first European to reach Cuba was Christopher Columbus in
1492. At that time the indigenous people lived by farming. They
grew cassava, maize, and yams. They also smoked tobacco. In
1511 Diego Velasquez conquered the island of Cuba and he
founded several settlements including Havana. The natives
devastated by European diseases, to which they had no
resistance. From 1526 the Spanish imported African slaves into
Cuba.
Some more…
• By the late 18th century Cuba was prospering by growing and
exporting sugar. The plantations were worked by huge numbers
of slaves. However, in the 19th century, there was an increasing
movement for independence.
• The struggle for Cuban independence began in 1868 when a
landowner named Carlos Manuel de Cespedes freed his slaves.
So began the Ten Years War. It ended in failure in 1878. Then in
1886 slavery in Cuba was abolished.
More…
• The Second War of Independence began in 1895. In 1898 the USA went to war
with Spain. US forces invaded Cuba and Spain surrendered shortly afterward. The
peace treaty made Spain relinquish all claims to Cuba. However, after the war,
Cuba was occupied by US forces for nearly 4 years. They left in 1902 and Cuba
became nominally independent but in reality, it was dominated by the USA.
• In the early 20th century most people in Cuba remained very poor despite efforts
to modernize the country. In 1924 Gerardo Machado was elected president of
Cuba. The constitution barred him from more than one term but when his term
ended in 1928 Machado held onto power. However, Machado was overthrown in
1933. After a period of unrest, Cuba gained a new and democratic constitution and
elections were held.
More…
• In 1952 Fulgencio Batista staged a coup in Cuba and became
its dictator. At that time compared to other Latin American
countries Cuba was prosperous and its people had a relatively
high standard of living. Literacy rates were high and health care
was relatively good. Education in Cuba was of a high standard.
Cuba was known for its writers.
More…
• Communist Cuba
• Then in 1959 Fidel Castro led a revolution in Cuba. However, Castro did not
bring freedom to Cuba. Instead, he made himself dictator. Castro introduced
a repressive Communist regime. Independent labor unions were made
illegal and all political dissent was crushed.
• However the lesson of history is that Socialism does not work. The Cuban
economy stagnated during the 1960s and 1970s. Meanwhile, Cuba became
a satellite of the Soviet Union. Many people fled from Communism. Many
Cubans escaped to the USA. Many more died trying. (Many people drowned
trying to cross the sea).
Lastly,…
• Meanwhile relations with the USA deteriorated and in 1961 1,400 Cuban emigres,
trained by the CIA were sent to invade Cuba. They landed at the Bay of Pigs but the
invasion ended in total failure. In 1962 the USA imposed a blockade on Cuba.
• Furthermore Cuba was economically dependent on the USSR. When the Soviet
Union broke up in 1991 the situation in Communist Cuba became desperate. Living
conditions for ordinary people in Cuba became even worse. They suffered shortages
of food. So Castro was forced to allow some free enterprise. He also opened up
Cuba to tourism. Then in 2008, Fidel Castro resigned. Meanwhile, in 1998 the Pope
visited Cuba for the first time.
• Today Cuba is still a dictatorship. However the end of an era came in 2014 when the
USA and Cuba normalized relations. In 2020 the population of Cuba was 11 million.
A little bit
of Cuba…
• https://youtu.be/YjCBOgp
pm0M

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC B

Cuban Picadillo ingredients
• Onion, green pepper, garlic. Cuban sofrito is the basis of most Cuban dishes. Some call it the “Holy Trinity”. It
consists of garlic, onions, and green peppers. You sauté the sofrito in a skillet with a bit of olive oil before continuing
with the rest of your recipe and that’s what gives meals such a unique and distinctive flavor!
• Ground beef. I like using 80% lean ground beef for this recipe since when cooked properly, it’s juicy from soaking the
spiced sauce. Yum!
• Tomato sauce. The basis of this dish. I only add about 6 ounces so it adds enough sweetness and acidity without it
being too saucy or having too much of an intense tomato flavor.l
• Ground cumin and oregano. Earthy spices are the best spices. You can also use complete seasoning if you have it.
• Green olives. Salty, briny olives complement all these flavors so well. Be careful when you’re adding salt this dish
since the olives are already salty enough.
• Raisins. A touch of sweetness. I know it sounds weird and it’s a bit controversial in some places (lol) because raisins
are boring but it does taste good mixed in with everything else. I’ll be honest though, I’m not the biggest fan of raisins
and sometimes don’t add them so it’s totally cool if you want to omit them.
How to make Cuban picadillo
• HOW TO MAKE CUBAN PICADILLO
• Make the sofrito. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, green pepper, and
garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Brown the meat. Add ground beef and cook at medium heat, breaking the meat apart using 
this meat chopper tool, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
• Simmer with the sauce. Turn the heat down to low. Stir in tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, salt, and
pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
• Garnish and serve! Stir in the green olives and raisins (if using). Remove from heat and serve
over white rice. You can also serve picadillo with veggies or even inside of sweet potatoes.
Short video on how
to make Cuban
picadillo

https://asassyspoon.com/cu
ban-style-beef-picadillo-reci
pe/?jwsource=cl

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC B

ASSİGNMENT
• Make your own Cuban
picadillo

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC B