What vegetables are used in Cuban food?

Traditional Cuban dishes feature starchy roots and tropical vegetables like yuca (cassava) , plantains (both green and ripe), calabaza squash , bell peppers , onions , and garlic . These ingredients are foundational in both main dishes and sides.

What is a typical Cuban dish?

Classic Cuban dishes feature black beans and rice, ropa vieja, yuca con mojo, and sweet plátanos maduros.. These dishes blend bold spices like cumin and oregano with simmered vegetables or proteins, making them both hearty and flavorful.

What to serve with Cuban black beans?

Black beans pair well with white rice , sweet fried plantains , roasted vegetables , or avocado salad . Tostones and yuca are also traditional side options that complete the meal.

What is a Cuban potato-like vegetable?

The Cuban equivalent to potatoes is yuca , also known as cassava. It's a dense, fibrous root that boils up soft and starchy. Served with mojo sauce, it's a staple in many Cuban homes.

Are Cuban vegetable recipes spicy?

Not traditionally. Cuban food is rich in flavor from spices and aromatics, but it isn’t usually spicy. Want more heat? Add jalapeños or hot sauce to your liking.

Can I make Cuban recipes vegan?

Absolutely. Most of these dishes are naturally vegan or require minimal tweaks. For example, all seven of the recipes above fit perfectly into a vegan Cuban food plan.

What’s the difference between green and ripe plantains?

Green plantains are firm and starchy—perfect for tostones. Ripe plantains are soft and sweet, ideal for frying into plátanos maduros.

Cuban Vegetable Recipes – 7 Remarkable Dishes You Must Try

Name: 7 Authentic Cuban Vegetable Recipes You Must Try
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Cuban
Ingredients: 2 green plantains; 2 ripe plantains; 1 lb yuca; 2 cups calabaza; 2 red/yellow bell peppers; 1 red onion; 4 garlic cloves; olive oil; lime juice; cumin; oregano; salt; black pepper; 1 cup cooked black beans; avocados

Description

This Cuban vegetable recipe roundup features 7 easy, flavorful, and authentic dishes like yuca con mojo, calabaza stew, and tostones. Perfect for vegan and gluten-free meals.

Ingredients

Scale

2 green plantains

2 ripe plantains

1 lb yuca

2 cups calabaza

2 red/yellow bell peppers

1 red onion

4 garlic cloves

olive oil

lime juice

cumin

oregano

salt

black pepper

1 cup cooked black beans

avocados

Instructions

1. Peel and prep your plantains, yuca, and squash.

2. Roast peppers and onions with oil and spices.

3. Fry green plantains twice for tostones.

4. Boil yuca and top with mojo sauce.

5. Sauté squash with sofrito until tender.

6. Fry ripe plantains until golden.

7. Mix avocado salad with lime, oil, and onion.

8. Serve each dish with Cuban black beans.

Notes

Use butternut squash if calabaza isn’t available.

Green plantains = crispy, ripe = sweet.

Yuca is best fresh but can be found frozen.

Beans and squash freeze well.

Make sofrito in bulk for easier prep.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Roasting, Frying, Boiling
Cuisine: Cuban

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 180
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: cuban vegetable recipes, yuca con mojo, tostones, calabaza, black beans