Cuban food is a tangy, pleasantly flavorful adventure for children (and adults alike) because of both its bold and hearty tastes and its reasonably uncomplicated flavor profiles – just like black beans and rice, and the renowned Cuban sandwich. It would be helpful to introduce your kids to uncommon flavors, but meals such as these will certainly stay within the appeal of developing palates.
Colorful, mole sauce or sour citrus flakes notwithstanding, the appearance, textures, and simplistic ingredients of these meals lend themselves to a family meal time. Cuban recipes, Brazilian Medianoche sandwiches, flatbreads are easily adapted to be more acceptable to children, but will maintain authentic taste and food culture.
Most fundamental Cuban dishes utilize relatively innocuous seasoning and include food often enjoyed by children, including varieties of rice, beans, and more often than not, slow cooked meat that partakes in exquisite tenderness, allowing them to savor delicious flavor without having to contend with obsessive dental dexterity.
Involving children in cooking Cuban food could also be a fun into learning new horizon of flavors, and kids are often happiest learning in action. Kids can assemble their Cuban sandwiches or flatbreads, mix simple marinades, or measure out rice and beans. Involving them in the act of preparing to consume vibrant food cultures provides value in itself. You can create food-related memories and teach them valuable kitchen skills!
Family-Friendly Cuban Recipes Kids Will Love
Cuban cuisine offers many delicious options that appeal to children’s tastes while introducing them to new flavors. These recipes combine simple ingredients with mild seasonings that most kids enjoy.
Classic Cuban Comfort Food for Children
The Cuban sandwich (Cubano) tops the list of kid-friendly Cuban foods. This pressed sandwich contains ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on crispy bread. Most children love this savory combination.
Ropa vieja, meaning “old clothes,” features shredded beef in a flavorful tomato sauce. The tender texture makes it easy for kids to eat. Parents can adjust the spice level to suit their children’s preferences.
Cuban-style black beans and rice (Moros y Cristianos) provide a nutritious meal kids often enjoy. The mild beans pair perfectly with rice, creating a complete protein source. Add a little crispy bacon on top for extra appeal to young eaters.
Arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) is another comfort food favorite. This one-pot meal combines tender chicken pieces with yellow rice. The dish’s colorful appearance and familiar ingredients make it appealing to children.
Easy Cuban Dishes for Lunch and Dinner
Picadillo is a great option for a weeknight meal. This ground beef dish includes olives, raisins, and potatoes, providing a brilliant sweet and savory flavor that kids will enjoy. Serve picadillo over rice or allow as a sandwich filling!
Papas rellenas are potato balls that are stuffed with seasoned ground beef, then breaded, and fried in oil. The crispy exterior and savory filling are guaranteed to wow kids, and they work great in a lunch box or as an afterschool snack!
If you want to take it easy, try pan con bistec – thin-sliced steak on Cuban bread, with lettuce and tomato. Kids love the soft meat and the crunchy bread. Cuban pizza, or pizza cubana, is like regular pizza, but it has a thicker crust, and toppings include ham and cheese. This is a familiar food with a Cuban spin, and it makes for fun, filling and easy dinner!
Kid-Approved Cuban Snacks and Sides
Tostones are twice-fried green plantain slices that offer a crunchy texture similar to thick potato chips. Kids love dipping them in garlic sauce or ketchup. They make perfect finger food for little hands.
Sweet plantain chips provide another snack option. Their natural sweetness appeals to children who might be hesitant to try new foods. Pack them in lunch boxes as a healthier alternative to potato chips.
Mariquitas are thinly sliced plantains fried until crispy. These light, crunchy treats pair well with a simple salt seasoning or a mild garlic dip.
Yuca fries offer a delicious alternative to regular french fries. These starchy fries have a mildly sweet flavor and crispy exterior that children enjoy. Serve them with a small side of ketchup for dipping.
Fun Cuban-Inspired Breakfast and Brunch Ideas
Cuban toast (tostada) with butter is a quick breakfast that children will be glad to have. The crispy, flat, pressed bread is great with milk or fruit juice and you can add a little guava paste to sweeten up the breakfast.
For brunch, try a mini Cuban egg sandwich. Your kids will love scrambled eggs on a roll with ham and cheese. These little handheld sandwich bites are perfect for little kids to enjoy. Smoothies made with tropical fruit like mango, pineapple, or banana make a great Cuban inspired breakfast drink. The natural sweetness of the fruit will appeal to a child, while also giving them great vitamins. Pastelitos de guayaba (guava pastry) will put a special stamp on breakfast.
The guava pastries are flaky and filled with sweet guava paste that will bring a smile to a child’s face. The buttery pastry and fruit filling is irresistible.
