On a recent visit to Cuba I was lucky enough to travel with a group of 15 to a restaurant named Finca Agroecological El Paraíso, located in Pinar del Rio overlooking the Viñales Valley, about a 3 1/2 hour drive west of Havana.

Finca Agroecological El Paraíso has its own self-sustained terraced organic farm that supplies all the food for the restaurant. The extra fruits and vegetables the farm produces are donated to the surrounding community.

Upon our arrival we were greeted with a welcome drink consisting of fresh pineapple juice blended with basil and mint topped with cinnamon. Bottles of rum were also placed on the table to add to your drink if you chose to do so. And yes, I chose to do so! Cuba produces some of the best rum I ever tasted. While sipping away the views are a true feast for the eyes. The lush green countryside with beautiful flowers and rows upon rows of fresh fruits and vegetables were breathtaking.

For lunch we were treated to the traditional Cuban Christmas Eve dinner, crispy skinned and succulent roast pig (lechón asado) with many sides. The suckling pig is prepared by butterflying it to make it flat for more even cooking, seasoned with salt and pepper, then secured between two grates that hold the pig securely in place. The grate is then placed in an aluminum lined roasting box. Once the meat is placed in the box a solid tray is then placed on top of the box where hot coals are spread evenly over the tray. Every hour or so, more coals are added to the tray, keeping a constant indirect heat even. For more information about a roasting box go to http://www.lacajachina.com.

The sides included a hearty vegetable soup, black beans and rice, guacamole, yucca, tostones (fried plantains), plantains shaped into small cups and fried that hold seasoned meat, green beans, sweet potato, fish hash and cucumbers with shredded cabbage salad. For dessert, flan and café con leche (coffee with milk).

My visit to Cuba will be remembered for years to come, not only for the food, but for the richness of their culture expressed through their love of creating art. That’s why I included information below about some artists of Cuba.

The people of Cuba are very resourceful and are known to be great recyclers. The recycling is quite evident through technique and available supplies in the stunning artwork produced by its artists and displayed at the artists’ homes as well as museums throughout Havana and beyond.

For more information about the artists, including a documentary on Cuban art called Alumbrones featuring these artists and more; Sandra Dooley, Pedro Pablo Oliva and Isolina Limonta, see the links below.

http://www.cubanartspace.net/SandraDooley/sandradooley.php

www.pedropablooliva.com

http://www.wbur.org/2013/01/14/cuban-art-in-boston

http://www.alumbrones.com/. Available on iTunes.